The planned adjustment of Germany’s hospital reform has drawn fierce criticism from both the Greens and the health insurance funds. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) says her legislation does not amend the reform but actually rolls it back on key points, Janosch Dahmen, the Greens’ health policy spokesperson, told the “Spiegel”.
While a commission is set to present cost‑saving proposals to the insurance funds at the end of March, Warken’s ministry is simultaneously earmarking “structural additional spending in the billions” Dahmen added. He argues that this is fiscally contradictory and undermines any credibility in stabilising contributions.
Warken is currently negotiating the Hospital Adjustment Act (KHAG) with the federal states. According to the “Spiegel”, a video conference between the minister and her state counterparts is scheduled for Monday evening to discuss the bill.
The Greens also oppose Warken’s concessions due to potential impacts on patients. Dahmen noted that the proposed exemptions regarding quality requirements and specialization weaken the reform at its core.
Health insurance funds share the discontent. Jens Baas, head of the Techniker Krankenkasse, told the “Spiegel” that the hospital reform should make the hospital landscape future‑proof and improve quality. He said the current Hospital Adjustment Act dilutes the reform and reinforces outdated clinic structures.
“If the law is passed in this form, patients will bear the brunt” Baas warned, arguing the legislation would not improve treatment quality. “Employers and employees will pay the price through unnecessarily high insurance contributions”.