close
close

Hospital reform: Hospitals warn of service restrictions

There is an intensive care unit for children

The controversial reorganization of hospitals in Germany is the subject of an event organized by the German Hospital Association in Berlin. (Symbolic image)

Source: dpa

In view of rising costs and growing deficits, hospitals are warning of restrictions in patient care. “The financial situation of German hospitals is more serious than ever,” said Gerald Gaß, CEO of the German Hospital Association (DKG), to the “Augsburger Allgemeine” newspaper before an event on hospital reform in Berlin.

Every second clinic is planning to tighten austerity measures, which sometimes affect areas relevant to care.

Gerald Gaß, CEO of the German Hospital Association

At the 2024 Hospital Summit of the German Hospital Association (DKG) in Berlin this Monday, the hospital reform proposed by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) will be discussed in particular. The minister is expected to speak this afternoon. The reform was approved by the Federal Cabinet in May and is now being discussed by the Bundestag.

The DKG expects a deficit of six billion euros

The head of the hospital association called on Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) to adjust the reimbursements of health insurance companies to the increased inflation and wage increases. “Since 2022 and 2023, hospitals have been running out of money,” explained Gaß. “Without compensation for these consequences of inflation, the existence of more and more hospitals is threatened.”
17.04.2024, Berlin: Karl Lauterbach (SPD), Federal Minister of Health, speaks at the press conference. The Federal Minister of Health is holding a press conference after the renewed federal-state consultations on the planned hospital reform

For months, there has been a heated debate about innovations in the hospital system, especially with regard to financing and quality standards. The planned reform is highly controversial.17.04.2024 | 2:46 mins

The DKG expects hospitals to have a deficit of six billion euros in the current year. If hospitals' remuneration is not improved, there is a risk of restrictions in patient care. Waiting lists for planned operations could be introduced.

The German healthcare system is in danger of losing its trademark that patients – whether publicly or privately insured – have quick access to hospitals with a good selection.

Gerald Gaß, CEO of the German Hospital Association

The hospital reform planned by the traffic light coalition does not bring any real improvement. Gaß is calling on the states to block the law in the Bundesrat and then to fundamentally improve it in a mediation process.

Patient advocates: No money invested for reform

Patient advocates are also criticizing the planned reform. Neither the federal government nor the states have budgeted enough money for it, said Eugen Brysch, chairman of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND).

The transformation of the 1,750 hospitals is necessary and costs money. But that is exactly what is missing.

Eugen Brysch, German Foundation for Patient Protection

Lauterbach has “not put anything aside in the federal budget” for the restructuring, criticized Brysch. Instead, he is “unashamedly dipping into the health funds of the insured.” The association chairman also criticized the federal states' financial plans for the hospitals as “poor.”

In addition, the reform plan fails to take the patient's perspective into account, criticised Brysch. “Quality and error management continue to play no role in inpatient patient care,” he told the RND. “In the end, doctors and nurses will be turning the hamster wheel ever faster.”

Lauterbach: “More specialization”

“We have the problem that even complicated operations are not carried out in specialist clinics,” said Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD). The hospital reform is a “unique opportunity to eliminate deficits.”27.06.2024 | 6:39 minutes

Expert hearing on hospital reform planned

The legislative plans launched by the red-green-yellow cabinet are intended to reduce financial pressure on hospitals and establish uniform quality standards. To this end, the remuneration system is to be changed to flat rates for treatment cases. In future, hospitals will receive 60 percent of their remuneration for maintaining certain services.

The basis for financing by the health insurance companies is to be precisely defined “performance groups” that set minimum requirements. An expert hearing is planned in parliament on September 25th regarding the hospital reform, which was introduced in the Bundestag before the summer recess.

Key points of the planned hospital reform

Source: dpa, AFP

You may also like...