Draft goes to the Bundestag: Lauterbach cuts down heart law | Politics
The Cabinet has approved the “Healthy Heart Act” by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (61, SPD) decided.
In April, the minister had presented his plan at the BILD Heart Summit presented – then a storm of indignation The main accusation: Instead of real preventive measures, the minister is relying on cholesterol-lowering drugs and check-ups at 25, 35 and 50.
► There was criticism of the plan to give cholesterol-lowering drugs (so-called statins) to children from the age of 5. Lauterbach's argument at the time was: “The earlier you start, the better: with children who have a family history of the disease, you have to start in childhood.”
Elevated cholesterol levels are considered one of the main risk factors for Heart disease.
Health experts complained that there would be no need to prescribe children check-ups or statins if, for example, more exercise or a better diet were used.
According to Politico (which, like BILD, belongs to Axel Springer), the draft, which is now being sent to the MPs, has been watered down in critical areas.
BUT: The minister is sticking to the early administration of statins “(…) in certain risk constellations” – however, the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) is to decide on this.
This is what Lauterbach is planning
Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in Germany (350,000 deaths per year). Lauterbach wants to change this by:
► Regular heart check-ups are covered by health insurance: at the age of 25, 40 and 50.
► Children are entitled to early detection of a lipid metabolism test in order to determine the risk of heart attack.
► Expansion of coverage for smoking cessation medication.
Health politicians: Prevention is better than pills
CDU-Health expert Tino Sorge (49) welcomes the fact that Lauterbach has been “called to order by the traffic light coalition and the medical community.” Sorge told BILD: “It is much more important than the mass prescription of tablets to strengthen prevention – through healthier food, more sports and exercise opportunities and better education (…).”
Also FDP-Health politician Christine Aschenberg-Dugnus (64) considers it “gratifying” that the BMG has responded to the “widespread criticism” and says: “It remains to be seen to what extent further adjustments will have to be made in the parliamentary process.”