"Significant price for care between communities'

Writes the Volkskrant. Needy equity or income of more than average have to pay hundreds of euros per month, now the municipalities determine the rates. The regional differences are huge.

Dozens of people with disabilities have stopped this care because they can not pay more. Others begin not when they hear how much it costs, say health care institutions in the newspaper. For the lowest incomes, the personal contributions are largely compensated.

Since January 1, 2015, municipalities are responsible for caring for vulnerable people. Which was previously paid by the State. Municipalities receive one quarter less budget. In the old situation all clients were paying 14.20 euros per hour for day care and counseling. In the new system, many municipalities count the cost in the contribution by, leading to amounts above 70 euros per hour.

Differ

The regional differences are large. Some municipalities ask much lower co-payments, from 20 euros per hour or less. Minima pay only 27.80 euros per month, regardless of the rates of the municipalities. But who has an income of more than average or for example a (sometimes unsaleable) home has inherited, must pay hundreds of euros a month.

Municipalities like Goeree-Overflakkee, where the customer must pay the cost, just say so to ensure the quality of care. Moreover, this would motivate people to look for other solutions. Dozens of residents of that municipality saw off their scooter or household assistance because of the increased costs, said a spokesman for the newspaper.

This is not customization, but arbitrariness.

Jeroen Cellars, Heliomare

The municipality of Apeldoorn has chosen to hold its own modest contribution - 20 euro per hour - "because of signs that the middle income are disproportionately affected."

Critics say the newspaper that the price increase is too extreme and that the disparity in rates between municipalities is unfair. "People who have to work after a stroke or accident to their recovery, they require assistance should be able to pay," says Jeroen Cellars, regional head of healthcare facility Heliomare. "In one municipality which is payable in the other is not. This is not customization, but arbitrariness."

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