The German parliament has moved an updated hospital‑reform bill to the next stage. On Friday the Bundestag approved the draft law with votes from the Union and the SPD, incorporating the amendments the coalition parties had proposed.
The Health Committee had adopted 46 amendments in its consultations. These changes address, among other things, the role of the Länder in shaping the reform, longer implementation windows, and several financing matters.
The reform, first adopted in 2024, is intended to deliver more quality and efficiency in healthcare. A central feature is the reduction of service groups from 65 to 61, with specific provisions for exceptions when allocating groups. The start of the so‑called “pre‑payment remuneration” has been delayed by one year, and the existing surcharge caps for pediatrics and obstetrics have been extended.
Funding for the federal share of the hospital transformation fund is also being restructured. The federal budget will draw its contribution from the special fund for infrastructure and climate neutrality, and the planned annual installments will be increased. In its comment, the Bundesrat called for numerous changes to the government draft, especially concerning cross‑sectoral care facilities.
