Whether a patient is treated should not depend on the costs

In an opinion piece, André Knottnerus argues that patient care should not be influenced by costs. He criticizes the Dutch government's plan to incorporate healthcare costs into treatment guidelines, stating it conflicts with the principle of prioritizing patient welfare. The current practice of evaluating medical procedures based on cost-effectiveness can delay access to expensive but effective treatments. Knottnerus warns that prioritizing collective health gains over individual patient needs could undermine trust in medical guidelines and exacerbate inequalities. He emphasizes the importance of ensuring that patient well-being remains central in treatment decisions, while also advocating for cost-saving measures that do not compromise care quality.