Next steps for hospital reform agreed
The federal and state governments have agreed on the next steps in the difficult struggle for hospital reform. A further working draft is to be presented by the end of next week, as Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) said after joint consultations in Berlin. This should also address "central points of criticism".
In the second week of January, the federal and state governments are to coordinate again in order to then prepare a draft bill for the planned law. The federal states have also confirmed that they will continue to work together.
"The revolution continues"
Lauterbach said that the reform was also absolutely necessary in view of the financial plight of many clinics. "And there is a consensus that this reform must come urgently and quickly." It was a difficult discussion. However, the result of the federal-state round was: "The revolution continues," said the Minister on the legislative plans.
The reform aims to change the remuneration system for clinics with flat rates for treatment cases in order to free them from financial pressure to treat more and more cases. In future, they are to receive 60 percent of the remuneration for the provision of services alone. The basis for financing by the health insurance funds should also be more precisely defined service groups. They should also ensure uniform quality standards. In the summer, the federal and state governments reached a majority agreement on the main features of a reform. Preparations for a draft bill have been underway for several weeks.
BaWü health minister: A tough process
The chairman of the state health ministers, Manne Lucha (Greens) from Baden-Württemberg, said that after the key points were agreed, the process had come to a standstill. However, in response to criticism from the federal states, Lauterbach made it clear at the meeting that he saw the position of the federal states on some points. It was a success, he said, that the two sides had not come to a disagreement. They had agreed to continue working "in this community of responsibility". It was a tough process. "But we are not backing down," said Lucha. The aim is to implement sustainable and flexible solutions according to regional needs.
Lauterbach reported that, among other things, the effects of the reform on the federal states and the reduction of bureaucracy had been discussed - as well as exceptions if certain quality requirements could not be met immediately. Overall, the reform is aimed at greater specialization. Hospitals would be given the opportunity to "breathe again, that the economic pressure is gone". For hospitals, it also means "a kind of guarantee of existence", especially in rural areas.
Lauterbach: Entry into force of the law delayed
Bavaria's Health Minister Judith Gerlach (CSU) criticized the fact that key demands of the federal states had not been discussed. An impact analysis was necessary. She welcomed the fact that the federal states still want to discuss the matter in a closed meeting. On behalf of the coalition parties in the Bundestag, which are also involved in the consultations, SPD politician Heike Baehrens spoke of an "irreversible process", which should now be brought to a successful conclusion in a timely manner.
Lauterbach had already made it clear that the entry into force of the law, initially planned for January 1, 2024, would be delayed. However, the implementation steps planned for 2025 and 2026 are currently not in question. The German Patient Protection Foundation criticized that the "finger-wagging" continues. It is necessary to reach an agreement before Christmas on which 250 clinics in rural areas are indispensable. "Financial resources must be made available for this immediately," said Eugen Brysch, Chairman of the Board. "Otherwise the hospitals that are to be saved later will be gone."
Karl Lauterbach, the Federal Health Minister, emphasized the urgent need for hospital reform due to the financial struggles of many clinics. He stated, "And there is a consensus that this reform must come urgently and quickly." Following the agreement on the next steps, Lauterbach mentioned that the revision of the hospitals' remuneration system is a central point of the reform, aiming to free them from financial pressure to treat more cases.
Source: www.dpa.com
