A German hospital association, the Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft (DKG), has requested 80 billion euros from the planned infrastructure special fund to finance the hospital reform and achieve the climate neutrality of clinics. The association’s chief, Gerald Gaß, told the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Thursday editions) that it is urgently necessary to finance the planned transformation of the hospital landscape from the special fund.
The construction chosen by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), which would use half of the planned transformation fund of 50 billion euros from the contributions of statutorily insured individuals, has been “unfair and legally uncertain” from the start, the association’s chief stated. “Now there is the chance to make the necessary 50 billion euros available sustainably and legally from the special fund’s resources” the association’s chief warned.
Moreover, the hospitals urgently need financial support to become climate-neutral, Gaß added. According to a study, around 30 billion euros are required for this purpose. “This would have a much greater effect on reaching the climate goals than individual measures in private households. After all, hospitals are among the largest emitters” he added.