Debate in the Vienna Landtag on Health System Priorities

On April 17, 2025, the 40th session of the Vienna Landtag commenced at noon, focusing on a contentious proposal from the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) regarding the prioritization of Austrian patients over undocumented immigrants in the healthcare system.

The session, called at the FPÖ's request, did not include a question period or current affairs discussions, which are typically part of regular proceedings. The opening statement was delivered by City Councillor Dominik Nepp from the FPÖ, who characterized Vienna's healthcare system as severely compromised, attributing its deterioration to the ruling Social Democratic Party (SPÖ).

Nepp emphasized the issues of prolonged waiting times, a shortage of medical professionals, and the financial strain on health insurance providers. He referred to a response from the Health Councillor four years prior, which indicated that due to personnel shortages, between 750 and 850 hospital beds in Wiener Gesundheitsverbund (WIGEV) facilities were closed--an equivalent number to the entire capacity of the North Hospital. He warned that the current number of closed beds could be even higher, citing ongoing department closures and consolidations as factors exacerbating the situation.

Specific waiting times were highlighted, including over a year for tonsillectomy surgeries. Nepp pointed out that despite its opening in 2016, the Floridsdorf hospital was still not operating at full capacity, with surgical departments also facing staff shortages. He criticized the city's failure to enhance its offerings in child and adolescent psychiatry despite previous commitments.

Moreover, Nepp noted that due to the lack of in-house radiologists, external specialists were being brought in at a higher cost, leading to discontent among regular staff who earn less than their external counterparts. The issue of overcrowded wards was also addressed, as many rooms were occupied, resulting in patients being treated in corridors.

Nepp asserted that the healthcare system's strain was further exacerbated by uncontrolled immigration since 2015, which he claimed has led to a near collapse. He argued that over 700 million euros were being spent on minimum security for non-citizens and that these funds should instead be allocated to the healthcare sector, emphasizing that Austrian citizens should receive priority in health services.

In response, Dolores Bakos from the NEOS party acknowledged the FPÖ's ability to raise issues but criticized them for failing to propose realistic solutions, labeling their approach as populism. She advocated for a shift from a treatment-focused model to one emphasizing prevention and highlighted ongoing projects aimed at improving healthcare access, particularly for children.

Green Party member Jennifer Kickert echoed concerns about the longstanding issues within the healthcare system, including staff shortages and long wait times. She stressed that structural problems could not be solved through discriminatory policies against specific patient groups and called for more incentives for medical professionals to work in less popular shifts.

In contrast, Ingrid Korosec from the ÖVP suggested that with elections approaching, it was critical for representatives to engage with citizens directly rather than participating in what she termed populist debates. She reiterated the need for a unified funding model for healthcare and expressed concern over the increasing demands placed on the system due to migration.

Korosec proposed practical measures such as extending operating hours in hospitals and improving patient flow management through enhanced telemedicine services. She also advocated for reforms in minimum security provisions, suggesting that individuals seeking to settle in Vienna should learn German and integrate into society.

This session of the Vienna Landtag revealed deep divisions among political parties regarding the handling of healthcare challenges, with calls for systemic reform and more sustainable funding models at the forefront of the discussion.