Overview
- Health Minister Nina Warken voiced confidence in a compromise on a savings package worth about 1.8 to 2 billion euros intended to ease pressure on statutory insurers.
- The Bundesrat sent the law to the mediation committee, and officials warn that failure to agree quickly could force higher additional contributions for millions in 2026.
- Lower Saxony’s health minister said he is hopeful the Bundestag and Bundesrat can pass a deal next week to keep 2026 contributions stable or only minimally higher.
- Brandenburg called for mediation and pressed for changes, arguing the package would disrupt hospital restructuring and demanding stronger state planning authority, better hospital cooperation, and closer links between inpatient and outpatient care.
- Brandenburg reports roughly 80% of its clinics are running deficits and that planned insolvencies in Guben, Forst, Spremberg, and Seelow were averted, as broader reform introduces new Leistungsgruppen expected to shrink the hospital network and raise rural supply concerns.