SPÖ calls for surgery waiting-time caps in Upper Austria

The SPÖ called for transparent surgery waiting lists and binding limits on waiting times in Upper Austria’s state parliament, ORF reported. The ÖVP and FPÖ opposed the motion, while MFG and NEOS supported it.

Peter Binder, the SPÖ’s new parliamentary group leader in Upper Austria and its health spokesperson, said waiting times for patients needed to be reduced.

ÖVP lawmaker Elisabeth Manhal said operations should be prioritised according to medical urgency as well as the date of registration. Health official and Deputy Governor Christine Haberlander, also of the ÖVP, said she would investigate cases of unjustified prioritisation.

FPÖ lawmaker Sabine Binder rejected the motion, calling fixed waiting-time limits without a capacity plan, along with blanket access to private supplementary services, ill-conceived.

Green Party lawmaker Brigitte Huber-Reiter cited a case in which a woman was moved up the list after paying more than 6,000 euros in private contributions. She warned against ignoring such practices.

MFG lawmaker Dagmar Häusler backed the SPÖ motion and also stressed the importance of preventive healthcare. NEOS parliamentary group leader Felix Eypltauer said politicians and the healthcare system were responsible for addressing the waiting-time problem.