The German federal cabinet is scheduled to discuss proposed alterations to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach’s hospital reform plans on Wednesday. Ahead of the meeting, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Health Minister, Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU), has urged the federal government to adopt the adjustments put forward by Federal Minister Nina Warken (CDU).
Laumann emphasized the need for “sensible exceptions” within the draft legislation to ensure comprehensive and high-quality hospital care across the country-a stated objective of the hospital reform initiative. He highlighted a consensus among the federal states regarding these adjustments, referencing a previous decision from the health ministers’ conference.
Specifically, the ministers are requesting increased flexibility for the states in assigning performance groups within the healthcare system. This aims to safeguard hospital services, particularly in rural areas. The proposed Hospital Reform Adaptation Act (KHAG), presented by Minister Warken, is on the agenda for Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. Laumann underscored the Act’s alignment with agreements made at the federal level, referencing the governing coalition’s original commitments.