Around 4000 psychotherapists and supporters protested against planned cuts in psychotherapy in Berlin on Wednesday. As part of a nationwide day of action, they marched from the Bundestag to the headquarters of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-SV).

A broad alliance of psychotherapeutic professional and professional associations had called for the demonstration. This was triggered by a 4.5 percent reduction in fees and further cuts in psychotherapeutic services, as provided for in the plans of the Health Finance Commission. The remuneration for psychotherapy had been reduced across the board by the extended evaluation committee at the instigation of the GKV-SV from April.

Together with petitioner Johanna Alisa Jung, the participants called on politicians to stop the cuts. The petition initiated by Jung “Months-long waiting times – and now psychotherapeutic services are being cut?” had collected more than 550,000 signatures within a short time.

The demonstrators pointed out that investments in psychotherapy pay off in the long term. Every euro invested saves two to four euros for society as a whole. At the same time, psychotherapeutic services accounted for only a small part of the total costs of statutory health insurance. The specialist group of psychotherapists is at the bottom of the list in terms of remuneration anyway.

The participants called on the Federal Ministry of Health to object to the decision of the evaluation committee. They also demanded that further measures be stopped that undermine psychotherapeutic care. In view of increasing burdens in society, more care is needed, not less.

The organizers handed over a fact sheet in front of the headquarters of the GKV-SV and offered their support in the development of efficient, guideline-oriented psychotherapeutic care. The demonstration ended there with a final rally.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.