Austrian Federal Ministry of Health

Address: Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Wien,Austria

Tel: +43-1/711 00-0

Web: http://www.bmgf.gv.at/

Company description

the Minister of Health I will do all I can to ensure that this excellent standard of medical care is maintained in the future and further developed in a targeted way. In this context, cooperation and communication with all of our partners in the health care system is a top priority.

Our goal is to create transparency, recognise problems and draw up solutions together which give people in Austria the security that they will receive the best possible treatment if they become ill. A particularly important point for me is that health care policy is not just about so-called reparatory medicine, but about promoting and preserving people’s health. Health issues have to be more firmly anchored in our society, and have a presence in schools, companies and local communities.

Products and services

cooperation of a large number of actors. Competencies in the health care sector are generally regulated by law. The main actors with regard to health at federal level are the Austrian Parliament (which consists of the National Council and the Federal Council), the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), the Federal Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Consumer Protection (BMASK), the social security institutions and advocacy groups (social partners: employers’ and employees’ representatives, as well as professional associations).

As far as legislation and its enforcement are concerned, the Federal Government plays a central role; however, many competencies are delegated to the provinces or to the social security institutions. The Federal Ministry of Health prepares laws, is responsible for the protection of the public health as well as overall health policy and functions as facilitator between the different players in the health care system, and also as decision maker and supervisory authority. The Federal Government is in charge of defining the legislation for out- patient care (physicians in individual practices). Responsibility for in- patient care (provided in hospitals) is shared between the federal and the provincial level: the Federal Government lays down the legislative framework whilst the provinces are in charge of defining legislation on enforcement as well as ensuring implementation. All regulations regarding pharmaceuticals, pharmacies and medical devices as well health professions (for example education of physicians) and structural policy are the responsibility of the Federal Government.