Saxony's government has criticized the agreement on the controversial hospital reform. Federal Health Minister Lauterbach had failed to reach a consensus with the federal states on key issues, according to Saxony's Minister for Federal Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery, Conrad Clemens (CDU). Saxony had voted in favor of appealing to a mediation committee. However, this did not receive the required majority. The reform by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) can therefore be implemented. It is intended to reduce the financial pressure on clinics and enforce more specialization.
Law to take effect over several years
The law is due to come into force on January 1, 2025, but the new structure will only be implemented over several years until 2029, meaning that patients will not feel the effects immediately. The network of 1,700 hospitals is also likely to become smaller. Many hospitals have been struggling for some time with financial difficulties, unoccupied beds and staff shortages. The federal states and the hospital sector had also called for bridging funding for hospitals until the reform takes effect.
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