[Evidence-based health policy or scientifically cloaked lobbyism--the utilization of research findings in health politics].

Like no other political field health politics has become the target of well-connected lobbyists. On the other hand, there is hardly any other area with so many different methodological and institutional consulting approaches. Since the emergence of concepts like evidence-based medicine and evidence-based healthcare now evidence-based policy seems to be cropping up at conferences and in publications. The author has been working at the various interfaces of research and politics. In this article he takes health politics as an example to look at the actual utilisation of scientific knowledge in politics. Following a brief introduction to the particularities of the healthcare sector the tense relationship between research and politics will be highlighted and specific examples will be given using both the genesis of the SHI Competition Act and the competencies and responsibilities of the Federal Joint Committee.