Clinics in Lower Saxony Cry for Financial Security
Germany's clinics are on the brink of financial instability, and hospitals in Lower Saxony are sounding the alarm. The energy crisis, inflation, escalating operational costs, and high wage settlements are threatening the existence of many clinics, according to Hans-Heinrich Aldag, Chairman of the Hospital Association. He called for swift political action at the federal level to prevent a "comprehensive hospital death."
Avoiding bankrupted hospitals in the public interest is crucial, Aldag emphasized. The German federal government should not overlook hospitals even during times of numerous crises. The Hospital Association supports the federal states' joint request to the federal government, demanding adequate funding for hospitals.
The funding should include retroactive compensation for future cost increases, as well as in 2022 and 2023, and a five billion euro one-time emergency aid program for hospitals facing imminent closure. To prevent a wave of hospital bankruptcies, the association pleads for federal government funding to address retirement compensation, cost increases, and wage settlements in hospitals.
Avoiding mass hospital closures is essential to maintain Germany's healthcare system's integrity. The federal government could consider various measures to support hospitals, including:
- Increasing funding for the healthcare sector
- Providing emergency financial aid
- Encouraging hospital specialization and efficiency
- Indexing funding to inflation rates
- Offering subsidies for energy costs
- Implementing recruitment and retention incentives for healthcare professionals
- Collaborating with state governments and health insurance providers
- Implementing long-term structural reforms
Staving off financial collapse in hospitals is imperative for Germany's overall healthcare system. By implementing these measures, the federal government can help secure the future of the nation's clinics and healthcare provision.
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