Limitations of financing the health care services and care for chronically ill persons -social, ethical, christian aspects of dividein up the funds available and a discussion on the "quality of life" of the chronically ill and the handicapped Abstract. Definition of the problem: Advances in medical technology resulting in an explosion of therapies available, considered within the context of the current demographic development, raise the question as to whether these advances can be made available to all in an equitable manner. Arguments: The following suggestions are being made in the discussion of how the costs can be held in check: (1) the prevention of expensive procedures being introduced into medical practice, (2) a far-reaching shifting of financing the health care services into the private sector, and (3) excluding certain groups of persons from receiving expensive therapies, namely those whose "quality of life" is considered to be very low and whose care constitutes a burden to society (e.g. the aged, the chronically ill and the handicapped). Suggestions 2 and 3 violate the basic -Christianethical principles of human dignity, justice and solidarity with regard to the gift of life and corresponding good health. Conclusion: The standard for the distribution of generally offered medical services must also be -with respect to persons -available for the chronically ill and for handicapped persons dependent upon care.Keywords: Explosion of costs and available therapies -Limits to and the right to health care therapies -Basic care -