Greens warn against "austerity therapy" for healthcare

The Greens are warning of further gaps in the healthcare system in rural areas. Franziska Schubert, parliamentary group leader of the Greens in the Saxon state parliament, explained that 380 positions for GPs could not be filled last year. There is also a shortage of specialists in many places. Despite this alarming development, the minority coalition of the CDU and SPD is planning cuts in this area.

Doctor shortage particularly severe in rural areas

"The austerity therapy that the CDU and SPD want to impose on the state will worsen healthcare provision in Saxony. Once again, rural areas, where the shortage of doctors is particularly acute, will be particularly affected," emphasized the politician. For example, cuts in funding for specialist training are planned. However, further training is an important support for prospective specialists and for recruiting them to work in rural areas.

Schubert also criticizes cuts to pilot projects and considers some of the priorities set to be questionable. For example, the Ministry of Social Affairs wants to make such savings at the Geriatric Network East Saxony - based at Görlitz Hospital - that it would become de facto inoperable, he said. The planned cuts would mean the end of the network and would carelessly destroy structures that have been painstakingly built up. "In an ageing population, this is unrealistic."

Greens table amendments for the double budget

The Greens now want to prevent cuts to healthcare with numerous amendments to the budget. "We can only hope that the minority coalition will get its act together and find a way forward with the democratic parliamentary groups. In any case, a big minus in our healthcare is not a solution."

The CDU-SPD minority government lacks ten votes in parliament for its own majority. For this reason, a so-called consultation mechanism was set up to involve the opposition in the coalition's plans at an early stage and also to take up proposals from the opposition. The AfD does not participate in the process. However, it is also submitting proposed amendments to the double budget for 2025/2026. The budget is due to be adopted in June.