clinic crisis - Hospitals: Heike Werner accuses Populism of Opposition
In the debate about the financial situation at Thuringian Hospitals, Health Minister Heike Werner (Left) accused the CDU and FDP opposition of campaign populism. So far, CDU and FDP have completely refused to participate in the hospital planning process, Werner stated. "I have not noticed any initiatives for higher investments." The only notable exception is the efforts of CDU fraction leader Mario Voigt for a hospital in his constituency.
Red-Red-Green has taken over a whole series of construction sites in healthcare. Werner referred in particular to the 50 million Euro hospital investment funding that has been frozen since 2012. Since 2022, 500 million Euro in structural funds have been allocated to make Thuringian Hospitals fit for the future.
The CDU countered that the state government has not even provided half of the necessary investments for Thuringian Hospitals. The health insurance companies have calculated a need of at least 140 million Euro per year. Since 2020, Thuringian Hospitals have thus lacked a total of over 370 million Euro.
Structural underfunding as the core problem
The central cause of the hospitals' difficult financial situation, according to the Minister, is the introduction of flat-rate payments. The underfunding of hospital operating costs is a structural problem that also affects CDU-led federal states. "It is the result of wrong financing politics at the federal level."
CDU and FDP have criticized the state government heavily for the financial misery at the Jena University Clinic, which needs to be addressed parliamentarily. The Thuringian Hospital Association also pointed to the "catastrophic" financial situation of other clinics in the state.
The Ministry of Science intends to hold further talks with the Finance Ministry by early August to find a solution for the University Clinic in Jena. One possibility being considered is a loan by the clinic in conjunction with a state subsidy.
The University Clinic in Jena is struggling financially due to rising prices for things like energy and wage increases. At the same time, the reimbursement for treatments under the current legal regulations is not cost-covering.
Communiqué Health Ministry
- Minister Heike Werner from the Left party criticized the CDU and FDP for employing campaign populism in the debate surrounding Thuringia's hospital financial situation.
- Werner mentioned that CDU and FDP have consistently refused to participate in the hospital planning process and have yet to propose higher investment initiatives.
- A notable exception to this pattern is the efforts of CDU fraction leader Mario Voigt, who is advocating for a hospital in his constituency.
- The state government's financial support for Thuringian hospitals has been a topic of contention, with the CDU asserting that only half of the necessary investments have been provided.
- Heike Werner attributed the hospitals' financial difficulties to the introduction of flat-rate payments, stating that the underfunding of hospital operating costs is a structural issue affecting CDU-led states as well.
- CDU and FDP have faced criticism for the financial struggles at the Jena University Clinic, with the Thuringian Hospital Association noting the "catastrophic" situation of several clinics in the state.
