Plea for a €4 Billion Lifeline: German Hospital Association Urges Federal Government
Medical facilities call for an urgent billion-euro financial assistance - Urgent Call for Billions in Financial Assistance for Clinics in Crisis
The German Hospital Association (DKG) is sounding the alarm with a plea for emergency aid to their hospitals due to their precarious fiscal situation. In an interview with the "Rheinische Post," DKG board chairman Gerald Gaß pointed out that approximately 80 locations have already filed for bankruptcy since the start of 2022, with many more teetering on the brink. Gaß warned that this is just the tip of the iceberg and that emergency aid is urgently needed.
The DKG chairman stated that 80% of hospitals are operating at a loss. In anticipation of discussions at the Health Ministers' Conference, which will take place on Wednesday and Thursday in Weimar, Gaß has proposed a €4 billion emergency aid package to offset the increased costs since 2022. He insists that this aid should be implemented before the summer break to avoid losing essential healthcare services for the population.
According to Gaß, the aid has been announced in the coalition agreement, but there are no specifics on when it will be executed. The DKG chairman emphasizes that many hospitals are already planning their closures for 2024, with auditors unable to certify these without a clear continuation perspective. If banks subsequently cease their financing, there could be an avalanche of bankruptcies, Gaß warns.
The new Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, will also attend the Health Ministers' Conference. Gaß expresses hope that Warken, a CDU politician, will approach the issue differently than her predecessor, Karl Lauterbach (SPD), who was often at odds with his colleagues during meetings. Gaß urges collaboration to develop effective solutions. He further emphasizes that the coalition agreement's plans should be implemented in partnership with healthcare practitioners, not against them, as was the case in the past.
While the theme of the Health Ministers' Conference has grabbed headlines, specific details on how this aid will be addressed according to the coalition agreement remain unclear in the current search findings. Official documents or statements from the German government or health ministry would likely provide more information on the implementation of this emergency aid package.
- The community policy discussions at theHealth Ministers' Conference should also encompass the urgent need for vocational training programs for healthcare professionals, as we face a critical shortage due to the closure of so many hospitals.
- In light of the increased healthcare costs and medical-conditions exacerbated by the precarious fiscal situation of many hospitals, it's crucial that the government considers health-and-wellness initiatives as a priority in their finance policies.
- The German Hospital Association's plea for a €4 billion lifeline underscores the interconnection between politics and general-news, demonstrating how decisions made in the political arena can significantly impact the science and medical-conditions of the population.
