Integrative Health Policy for Migrants in Germany

Abstract

It is not a new topic for Germany in receiving immigrants from various nations. However, it is thought-provoking how German integration policy is criticized to be exclusionist based on its immigration policies. 1 In Germany, efforts to integrate the current demand and needs of the migrant population into the healthcare system have proved uncoordinated and scattered as much as diversity in policy is slowly under the implementation process. Frequently, immigrants are not facing any complicated legal restrictions but it is reported that they experience extremely challenging access with barriers resulting in the worst results trying to utilize healthcare services. 2 Equal access to health care services is a crucial aspect of Germany's national health policy. Factors contributing to access barriers to healthcare are said to be: cultural differences; education; political issues; the absence of complementary voluntary health insurance. Therefore, this paper will explore the migrants’ health and barriers to healthcare access in Germany