Emergency aid: When can hospitals expect money?

The chairwoman of the Conference of Health Ministers, Thuringia’s Minister Katharina Schenk, demands rapid clarity on the The immediate aid for hospitals promised in the coalition agreement between the CDU/CSU and SPD. "It also needs to be clarified how this will be paid out and when we can expect it?" the SPD politician told the German Press Agency in Erfurt.

During coalition negotiations, the CDU and SPD agreed to offset the inflation-related operating cost increases for hospitals in 2022 and 2023. In previous discussions with the new Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken (CDU), she had certainly gained the impression "that she is absolutely aware of the explosive nature of the situation," said Schenk. For the hospitals, the emergency aid is "an absolutely crucial factor."

The inflation-related increase in operating costs had put numerous hospitals in financial difficulty during and after the Corona years.

Schenk warned that it was foreseeable that hospitals would lay off staff as soon as the impression arose that the project was shaky. This could not be afforded, especially in eastern Germany with its "extreme shortage of skilled workers and labor." It was also important to ensure "that hospitals do not go into uncontrolled insolvency" until the hospital reform passed by the federal government comes into force in January 2027.

A spokesperson for the GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds) told the German Press Agency that additional funding for hospitals would put additional pressure on health insurance contributions. "Anyone who wants to avoid further premium increases shouldn't do this." Hospitals are already receiving more than 100 billion euros per year from contributors, more than ever before.

The hospitals urgently need emergency aid, Gerald Gaß, Chairman of the Board of the German Hospital Association, told the German Press Agency. To date, the hospitals have not received inflation compensation for the price increases resulting from the Russian attack on Ukraine. However, the most effective measure, he said, is "far-reaching deregulation."

"With a debureaucratization program, the federal government would have an economic stimulus package at its disposal that is not only free of charge, but also improves care and ultimately even saves costs."

The Conference of Health Ministers of the German states begins in Weimar on Wednesday. Thuringia is chairing this year's meeting. The new Federal Minister, Dr. Warken, will also participate in the meeting.