Insurers warn of unproven medical treatments on Dutch crowdfunding platforms
Dutch crowdfunding platforms do little to screen fundraising campaigns for misleading or unproven medical claims. A NOS investigation found that donors are giving money for treatments that do not exist or lack scientific proof of effectiveness. Health insurers are calling on the government to step in.
Campaigns on these sites seek funds for everything from specialized wheelchair vans to experimental surgeries abroad.
“It must be clear to donors and patients whether a treatment is proven or experimental or what the standard treatment options are in the Netherlands,” Cas Ceulen, a board member of insurer VGZ told NOS.
Health insurers want a required disclaimer on every medical crowdfunding appeal. It would be similar to the warning on loan ads: “Warning: Borrowing money costs money.”
Five platforms handle medical fundraising in the Netherlands: GoFundMe, Geef, WhyDonate, Steunactie, and Doneeractie.nl.
Dutch doctors have confirmed widespread misinformation in many of these campaigns.
Earlier this year, NOS reported on unproven and dangerous abdominal surgeries offered in Málaga, Spain. Crowdfunding sites presented them as life-saving. Dutch physicians say they are not.
One ongoing GoFundMe campaign raises money for a Dutch patient’s liver transplant abroad. Doctors say it is highly unlikely that such a procedure needs to be done outside the Netherlands. They see no medical benefit.
Physicians are also questioning campaigns for neck and back stabilization surgeries performed by a doctor in Barcelona.
Other campaigns collect money for cancer treatments at a German clinic. These include a turmeric extract that the clinic claims has anti-cancer properties. There is no evidence to support that claim.
Walter Hazeleger and his son Nick both have multiple sclerosis. They are raising funds for a treatment in Mexico. No scientific evidence shows the treatment will work.
In a video for their campaign, they acknowledged possible doubts: “People might think: ‘Hey, those are fraudsters again.’”
The platforms say they act when they discover deception. GoFundMe, Geef, WhyDonate, and Steunactie responded to questions from NOS. Doneeractie.nl did not reply.
Geef.nl stated it is not responsible for verifying medical claims. Steunactie said, "We rely on the transparency of the organizer and the critical eye of the crowd."
The platforms face no legal liability for medical disinformation. Yet the Center for Ethics and Health (CEG) says they have a moral duty to set quality standards and monitor the information on their sites. The CEG believes the government should also provide oversight.
Serious risks remain. Money can be paid out before a campaign reaches its goal and platforms keep a commission. Donors usually receive no refund if the target is not met.
Four years ago, the CEG urged the government to talk with the platforms and post warnings on an official website about the dangers of medical crowdfunding. No health minister has followed through.
Current Health Minister Sophie Hermans from the VVD party responded that coalition agreement priorities prevent any commitment to act now.
Zorgverzekeraars Nederland called the situation "concerning.” The group noted that the problems have been known for years and that clear recommendations already exist to better protect patients.
