Almost 22,500 individuals support the medical center project.

The Medical Care Network - Almost 22,500 individuals support the medical center project.

A grassroots effort by the Free Voters for the Protection of Hospitals in Brandenburg has amassed enough signatures - however, the state legislature's plans for tackling it before the election are in question. "There's a slim chance of discussing it during the June plenum, but it's not a sure thing," said a spokesperson for Potsdam's state parliament on Thursday. The BVB/Free Voters association rallied 22,383 valid signatures for the initiative, as confirmed by the state's electoral authority. The group's chairman, Péter Vida, expressed hope for swift action. "Access to quality healthcare is beneficial for everyone."

This campaign, "Health isn't a commodity," proposes a hospital rescue fund starting in 2025 and increased medical scholarships. Once handed over to the state parliament, they have four months to act on the initiative, which necessitated 20,000 signatures. The main committee of the legislature will deliberate next week if the popular initiative will remain a topic in the final plenary session preceding the Brandenburg election from June 19 to 21. Following this, there would be a hearing in the health committee, which has held regular meetings prior to the election every Wednesday.

Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens) doesn't anticipate hospitals closing as part of the hospital reform, instead pleading for continued development and stronger collaborations with doctors' practices. Two additional popular initiatives have been introduced since: one by the Left calling for free lunches at schools, and one by the AfD against the use of gender-specific language with special characters.

BVB/Free Voters' statement on the brandenburg initiative.

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1. The Free Voters' initiative for the protection of hospitals in Brandenburg, particularly in Potsdam, aims to enhance the healthcare system by proposing a hospital rescue fund starting in 2025 and increasing medical scholarships.
2. Despite gathering 22,383 valid signatures, the state parliament's plans to discuss the initiative before the June election are unclear, with a spokesperson suggesting a slim chance during the plenum.
3. The BVB/Free Voters association's proposal, titled "Health isn't a commodity," could potentially be a topic in the final plenary session preceding the Brandenburg election from June 19 to 21, following deliberation by the main committee of the legislature.
4. Meanwhile, Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens) supports continued development and stronger collaborations between hospitals and doctors' practices, and doesn't foresee hospital closures as part of the hospital reform.
5. The BVB/Free Voters' initiative isn't the only popular initiative in Brandenburg; two other initiatives have been introduced, one by the Left calling for free lunches at schools and another by the AfD against the use of gender-specific language with special characters.

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