[The future of medical technology assessment in Germany--five proposals for its development]

How progress in medicine will be financed in the future is an important issue internationally and in Germany. Medical Technology Assessment is an interdisciplinary concept that proposes solutions to this issue. This article deals with health political measures which should be taken to implement Medical Technology Assessment in the German health care system. Five proposals are developed: Establishing a coordinating and communication unit for Medical Technology Assessment. Intensifying the research into efficient health care. Increasing the use of Medical Technology Assessment in coverage decisions. Increasing consumer participation in coverage decisions. Establishing a competitive order for the use of expensive technology.