The German District Council (DLT) has cautioned the Bundesrat against approving the healthcare reform. DLT President Achim Brötel informed the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” (NOZ) that the council unambiguously demands that the states stand firm in maintaining comprehensive hospital care across the country, urging the Bundesrat to invoke the mediation committee.
The legislative process involves the Bundestag initially passing the Basic Healthcare Contributions Stabilization Act on Friday morning, followed immediately by deliberation in the Bundesrat. Discussions regarding the latest changes to the legal text took place earlier on Wednesday.
However, Brötel contended that these changes are insufficient for the district councils. He argued that merely negotiating special solutions for specific sectors or provider groups at the last minute is inadequate, especially while municipal hospitals-which are responsible for maintaining coverage in rural areas-remain under immense economic pressure. The Bundesrat, he stressed, must not simply overlook this disparity but needs to fundamentally revise the law through the mediation committee, noting that it is not yet too late.
