Hospital Association Raises Concerns Over Lauterbach's Reform Timeline
The Association of German Hospitals is skeptical about Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's scheduled hospital reform, expressing concern over the feasibility of the current timeline. In an interview with the German Press Agency, Managing Director Rainer Poniewaß stated, "We're still waiting on a draft law, and the year is almost over."
The reform, which includes changes in hospital remuneration and structural requirements, is set to take effect at the beginning of 2023. However, Poniewaß anticipates a more realistic timeline for the reform law's enactment in the spring. He emphasized that delays in hospital planning could result from potential delays in the reform legislation.
As hospitals in Thuringia grapple with the implications of the forthcoming reform, the association's managing director explained, "The state must assign these service groups to the hospitals." The new Thuringian hospital plan, set to take effect in the second quarter of 2024, has been under development.
Hospitals face hurdles inAddressing a Growing Burden
The lack of a transitional arrangement to ameliorate rising costs for staff and supplies has long been a point of contention for hospitals. Limited remuneration remains a primary issue, with hospitals receiving fixed prices that have historically been agreed upon with health insurance companies one year in advance.
Currently, the average hospital reimbursement per case in Thuringia amounts to 3,992 euros, and the cost-effective remuneration falls short by 252 euros. In 2021, over 502,000 patients underwent inpatient hospital treatment in Thuringia, compared to approximately 590,000 patients prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The absence of a transitional regulation for remuneration adjustments leaves hospitals vulnerable to the financial repercussions, particularly in the face of a reformed hospital payment system that compensates hospitals for certain services, regardless of patient numbers.
Thuringian Hospitals Brace for Upcoming Changes
With Lauterbach's hospital reform on the horizon, hospitals in Thuringia must adapt to the new regulations. These changes could impact the Thuringian hospital plan, potentially necessitating adjustments to align with the reforms. While specifics surrounding Lauterbach's hospital reform are yet to be clarified, the potential impact on hospital planning, remuneration, and overall healthcare delivery in Germany remains a pressing concern.
Sources:
- German Disease Control and Prevention
- German Hospital Federation
