Health policy

Health policy sets the framework conditions for medical care in Germany. Its role is to define the principles and rules governing who is entitled to healthcare services and under what conditions, who is permitted to provide those services and under what conditions, and how healthcare is financed. Health policy decisions are made by governments and parliaments at federal and federal state level while self-governance also plays a major role in statutory health insurance. In addition, numerous organisations, associations and companies participate in health policy debates as affected parties or stakeholders.