Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) wants to achieve generous exceptions for healthcare facilities in the legislation on heating modernization. The picture on sunday he said: “We will not allow rising energy and heating costs to endanger the existence of hospitals.” The state guarantees services of general interest. This also includes compensating for deficits that even well-functioning clinics are not responsible for.
According to the newspaper report, hospitals, care and rehabilitation facilities should be able to apply for the installation of a new gas heating system even after the amended Building Energy Act has come into force if the otherwise necessary investments represent a disproportionate burden for the healthcare facilities and the continuation of operations is jeopardized . The replacement obligation would then be suspended.
According to Lauterbach, the facilities will also be provided with an additional 2.5 billion euros to compensate for increases in indirect energy costs – such as increased costs for laundries.
The Building Energy Act stipulates that from 2024 onwards, every newly installed heating system should be operated with 65 percent renewable energy. This is intended to herald the departure from gas and oil heating systems.