The German Association of District Administrators (DLT) is issuing a stark warning against proposed austerity measures spearheaded by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), intended to stabilize the statutory health insurance system (GKV). The plans, poised for approval by the Federal Cabinet on Wednesday, risk jeopardizing the viability of critical healthcare facilities, particularly in rural areas.
DLT President Achim Brötel voiced deep concern, stating that the proposed cuts, amounting to over two billion euros, disproportionately target hospitals and threaten their operational capacity. At the core of the plan is the intended suspension of the “most benefit clause” next year, effectively limiting expenditure increases for hospitals.
Brötel characterized the planned austerity as short-sighted and contradictory, directly undermining the recent inflation compensation package approved just weeks ago for the years 2022 and 2023. He emphasized the compensating package’s crucial role as a foundation for a successful hospital reform. “To now impose further losses amounting to billions on hospitals so soon will only accelerate an unwelcome structural shift and endanger the existence of essential hospitals, particularly in rural regions” he asserted.
The DLT president strongly condemned the plan’s inherent imbalance, questioning the rationale behind hospitals bearing the brunt of the savings while other key players within the healthcare sector remain largely unaffected. He insists that any cost-cutting measures cannot come at the expense of patient care and the long-term stability of the German healthcare infrastructure. The move is drawing accusations of political expediency, with critics suggesting the government is prioritizing budgetary concerns over the well-being of communities relying on these vital institutions.