Overview

• Lauterbach used an ARD appearance to call inequality the "elephant in the room" and to denounce a two‑tier health system with long waits for publicly insured patients.
• He argued that abolishing Pflegegrad 1, which reports say is under consideration, would remove preventive supports and risk higher long‑term care needs.
• The former minister criticized Germany’s health system as inefficient and costly, saying spending is Europe‑leading while life expectancy ranks lowest in Western Europe.
• The federal cabinet plans to advance an adjusted hospital reform that assigns specialties, introduces new payment rules to curb unnecessary procedures, and reduces clinic numbers without triggering uncontrolled closures.
• Draft provisions include temporary exceptions to protect basic and emergency services in rural areas, and Lauterbach acknowledged failing to pass a prevention law during his tenure while voicing support for Olaf Scholz over Friedrich Merz.