Vienna rescue unions warn of funding shortfall

Rescue and patient transport services in Vienna face a risk of underfunding, unions warn, with no viable deal in sight after months of negotiations with the Austrian Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK), according to ORF.

The unions Younion and vida said on Thursday that the ÖGK’s offer of a 1.5 per cent increase was inadequate when average inflation was above 3 per cent. Even a fair increase would not cover the actual cost of each call-out, they said, leaving the shortfall to be covered by tax revenue and donations. The unions also warned that rescue workers could face cuts.

Younion chair Bernhard Stoik said paramedics and emergency doctors work around the clock under significant physical and psychological strain and should not be penalised with cuts. The unions called on the ÖGK to resume talks immediately with a substantially improved offer.

The ÖGK rejected the criticism, saying responsibility for funding rescue services lies with the federal states. The health insurance fund reimburses costs but is not authorised to cover expenses beyond the transport itself. It said demands for fair pay for paramedics should therefore be directed to the City of Vienna.

The ÖGK also said Vienna funds only its professional rescue service, while other rescue organisations rely entirely on social insurance. As a result, its spending on rescue transport in Vienna is almost 60 per cent above the national average. The 1.5 per cent adjustment for 2026 was approved nationwide by the ÖGK’s governing board, but the fund said it remained willing to seek a constructive agreement within the limits of binding decisions.