Groningen – Health organizations and experts express significant concerns about the Schoof Cabinet’s cuts to prevention and their impact on public health. They call on the government to continue the transition from care to health and continue working on a healthy generation in 2040, instead of financially stripping them. The call is an initiative of the GGD GHOR Netherlands, the KNMG Medical Association, the Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers (NFU) and
Healthy generation.
Despite the kind words of the Council of Ministers to place prevention more centrally, on the other hand, there are significant reductions in prevention. For example, there will be a 10% reduction on SPUK funds and EUR 230 million on spin-off funds. In addition, the VAT on sport would be increased and public health would be saved up to $300 million annually.
Wipe with the tap open
And all this while our health is not doing well. Although we are living longer, we are also spending a larger portion of our lives sick. Health disparities between people of low and high socioeconomic status are significant. Unhealthy diseases cost the Netherlands tens of billions of euros every year, cause significant pressure on healthcare and reduce labor productivity.
Andre Rouvoet, Chairman of the Board of Directors of GGD GHOR Netherlands: “The savings that the cuts seem to bring in the short term do not nearly outweigh the higher healthcare costs and the social and economic costs that this will cause in the near future. If we no longer invest in our health, we will continue to mop with the tap open.” “.
Urgent call
The undersigned organizations and experts therefore urgently call on the government not to destroy what has been built in recent years, to cancel the announced cuts and really focus on the health of the Netherlands.
Ruvit: “We support the Secretary of State’s intention to develop an integrated prevention plan, as adequate financial resources are crucial. We will be happy to discuss this with the Secretary of State. So that the Netherlands becomes healthier, more resilient and more prosperous.”
Signature
Doctors’ Union KNMG Healthy Generation, GGD GHOR Netherlands, Dutch Federation of University Medical Centers… and more than 50 other organizations and experts committed to health in the Netherlands, including GGD Groningen.
