A leading figure within Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) is advocating for a mandate requiring public hospitals to perform abortions, citing concerns over access to care for women facing unwanted pregnancies. Carmen Wegge, the SPD’s legal policy spokesperson, stated that publicly funded hospitals – including those with religious affiliations – should be obligated to offer the procedure. She linked this proposal to existing commitments within the governing coalition agreement to cover the costs of abortions through public health insurance.
Wegge argues that decriminalizing abortion, at least in early stages of pregnancy, would be a necessary step to facilitate this coverage, reiterating a long-held SPD position. A previous inter-factional motion proposing similar measures failed to pass during the last legislative period due to opposition from conservative parties.
The call for expanded access comes on the heels of the publication of the “Elsa Study” by the Federal Ministry of Health. This comprehensive research project assessed the situation of women experiencing unwanted pregnancies in Germany, revealing significant gaps in access to care, alongside experiences of stigmatization and other barriers to accessing abortion services in certain regions.
The debate surrounding abortion access has been further highlighted by a recent legal challenge in Lippstadt, North Rhine-Westphalia. A chief physician initiated proceedings against his hospital after a merger with a Catholic organization resulted in a prohibition on performing abortions. While the initial ruling dismissed his claim, he intends to appeal to the regional labor court.
