Draft Law on Strengthening Heart Health: Federal Council Statement and Government Counter-Statement
On November 6, 2024, a new article titled “20/13641: Information on the Draft Law on Strengthening Heart Health (Healthy Heart Act – GHG) – 20/13094 – Statement of the Federal Council and Counter-Statement of the Federal Government (PDF)” was published in Drucksachen.
Background
Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of death worldwide. In Germany, approximately 350,000 people die from heart attacks or strokes each year. The Healthy Heart Act (GHG) aims to strengthen heart health by implementing comprehensive prevention and treatment measures.
Main Provisions of the GHG
- Prevention: Establish a nationwide cardiovascular prevention program that includes measures such as health education, smoking cessation support, and physical activity promotion.
- Early detection: Enhance screening and diagnostic procedures for cardiovascular diseases to identify and treat them early.
- Improved care: Establish standardized and high-quality cardiovascular care pathways, including timely access to specialized treatment and rehabilitation.
- Research and innovation: Increase funding for cardiovascular research and encourage the development of new therapies and medical devices.
- Health literacy: Promote health literacy to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their heart health.
Federal Council Statement
The Federal Council welcomed the draft law but raised concerns about its funding and implementation. The council requested more detailed information on the allocation of funds and the measures to ensure effective implementation.
Government Counter-Statement
The Federal Government acknowledged the concerns of the Federal Council and provided further details on funding and implementation. The government emphasized that the funding would be allocated based on the recommendations of an expert commission and that the implementation would be closely monitored to ensure its effectiveness.
Other Key Points
- The GHG is part of the government’s comprehensive prevention strategy for chronic diseases, which also includes measures to address cancer, diabetes, and respiratory diseases.
- The law is expected to be passed by the Bundestag (German Parliament) in early 2025.
- The implementation of the GHG is expected to have a significant impact on reducing cardiovascular disease-related deaths and improving the overall heart health of the German population.
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Drucksachen a new article on 2024-11-06 11:00 titled “20/13641: Unterrichtung Entwurf eines Gesetzes zur Stärkung der Herzgesundheit (Gesundes-Herz-Gesetz – GHG) – 20/13094 – Stellungnahme des Bundesrates und Gegenäußerung der Bundesregierung (PDF)”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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