[SGB IX - Magna Charta of a Functional Participation Philosophy]

Further development of needs-based, efficient health care structures in particular for people with chronic illness, and in conjunction with them, is the paramount objective of SGB IX, book 9 of the German social code. To achieve this it is necessary to define treatment sequences across sectoral boundaries in health care, and to establish cooperation between community-practice physicians, hospitals, rehab and long-term care facilities, cost carriers, and people with disabilities. In this context, the article discusses the current rank of rehabilitation and participation, points out the underlying conflicting issues and interests, and posits the preventive-integrative rehabilitation paradigm at the very centre of health protection networking.