Health
Hospital reform: Lauterbach is planning the basics by summer
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is planning a hospital reform. photo
© Christophe Gateau/dpa
One of the aims of the reform is to free clinics from economic pressure. But the project is controversial. The minister is still sticking to the schedule.
Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach is still hoping to agree with the federal states on the basics of the controversial hospital reform by the summer.
On Tuesday, the SPD politician wants to meet state representatives at a confidential fireside chat to discuss the currently different ideas. “We are sticking to the schedule of agreeing on key points by the summer,” said a ministry spokesman on Saturday. The federal-state working group continues to work.
The aim of the reform is to reorganize the financing and structure of hospitals in Germany and at the same time improve quality. Among other things, greater specialization of the clinics is planned. In essence, the remuneration system is to be changed with flat rates for treatment cases in order to free clinics from economic pressure. The focus is also on classifying the clinic network into three levels of care – from basic care close to home to a second level with other offers up to maximum care providers such as university clinics.
State approval required
The reform needs the approval of the federal states, since they are responsible for hospital planning and also for investments in the houses. The federal states fear that clinics will die and have concerns that the reform will lead to longer journeys for people in rural areas.
According to information from “The Pioneer”, Lauterbach wants to change the financing of the clinics at the beginning of 2025. Payments should then already be made for the provision of certain clinic services. However, other services should continue to be billed via case flat rates.