Berlin (dpa -Afx) – the federal and state governments want to improve the adopted hospital reform mutually after a long dispute. Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) said after a meeting with her countermeasures from the countries in Berlin, it is about adapting her in such a way that she seems to be effective. “The reform is improved, but not watered down.” Longer transition periods and more flexible requirements for rural regions should be in view. A draft law is now to be developed and will come to the Federal Cabinet in early September.
Warken said with a view to agreements in the coalition agreement between the Union and the SPD, the federal government wanted to accommodate claims by the federal states. The countries needed “a little more air” to implement the reform regionally. “In addition, we need more exceptional options for clinics in the country that cannot immediately meet the necessary quality standards.” The minister at the same time emphasized that not every clinic should do everything. “We need clear quality standards for individual services, and those who do not prove that they can no longer provide the associated services.”
There were violent clashes for the reform
There is still a lot of criticism of the reform that was still decided by the traffic light coalition, which the then minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) enforced against protests by the federal states. It came into force in early 2025 and is to be implemented gradually by 2029. The network of the 1,700 clinics is likely to be smaller.
The reform is intended to reduce the financial pressure on hospitals and achieve more specialization for more complex interventions. The basis for financing by the health insurance companies should be new “performance groups”. These are intended to describe clinic treatments more precisely and enforce uniform quality requirements for personnel or treatment experience.
Warken made it clear that certain aspects can still be clarified. The countries of the countries should flow in and she is looking forward to “bringing the reform together together”. Representatives of the SPD and Union-led countries also signaled to strive for mutual changes.
Countries see constructive solutions
After the meeting, Hamburg’s health senator Melanie Schlotzauer (SPD) said: “I am very sure that if the federal government presents the draft law that we will also be constructive about the summer.” The readjustments did not go beyond the appointments in the coalition agreement. “That would have been my red line.”
The North Rhine-Westphalian Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) emphasized that everyone could assume that “this reform will come to 2027 and be sharpened”. There could be no way back. It was clear that the reform becomes more practical. Now the probability is “very, very big” that the design can ultimately be supported by the countries.
Bavaria’s Minister of Health Judith Gerlach (CSU) called the exchange “very constructive and solution -oriented”. The federal government must give the countries “sufficient legroom for necessary deviations” in order not to endanger the stationary supply in rural areas. It is important that the draft law comes quickly so that clinics have planning security.
Warnings of softening the reform goals
The statutory health insurance companies generally warned of softening the reform goals. “The focus of the reform must be the patient and their entitlement to the best possible treatment in specialized and experienced hospitals,” said the deputy head of the top association, Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, in front of the federal-state meeting.
The Social Association of Germany said that regional peculiarities should be taken into account – but this should not lead to the fact that everything is staying old. “Hospitals nearby are only helpful if you also ensure good care,” said CEO Michaela Engelmeier.
The green health expert Janosch Dahmen warned of gifts to the clinic lobby. “People have to be able to rely on the fact that there is also the right hospital where the hospital is.”/Sam/HDO/DP/JHA