Mayor defend themselves: lawsuit against emergency practices!

Mayor defend themselves: lawsuit against emergency practices!

In Baden-Württemberg, Mayor of 13 cities have filed a lawsuit against the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians Baden-Württemberg (KVBW). The aim of this lawsuit, which was submitted to the social court in Stuttgart, is to prevent the planned closures of 18 emergency practices. The affected cities are Müllheim, Ettlingen, Nagold, Bad Saulgau, Oberndorf am Neckar, Neuenbürg, Münsingen, Herrenberg, Kirchheim Unter Teck, Brackenheim, Güglingen (supporter, but no plaintiff), Backnang, Schwetzingen and Tettnang.

The mayors themselves criticize the lack of information exchange and the lack of cooperation on the part of the KVBW. This only informed the affected municipalities about the upcoming closures shortly before a press conference. Although the cities are not general against the closures of the emergency practices, they are calling for a transparent, nationwide concept for the locations of emergency supply.

planned closures and follow

The planned closures are to be carried out gradually by November 2025. The first closures affect the emergency practices in Bad Saulgau, Kirchheim Unter Teck and Neuenbürg, which are to be closed from March 31, 2025. An overview of the proposed dates shows that the closures will be continued not only in March, but also in June, July, September and October.

• Neuenbürg: 31.03.2025
• Kirchheim Unter Teck: 31.03.2025
• Bad Saulgau: 31.03.2025
• Nagold: 30.06.2025
• ellwangen: 30.06.2025
• Oberndorf: 30.06.2025
• Backnang: 30.06.2025
• Eberbach: 07/31/2025
• Schwetzingen: 07/31/2025
• Münsingen: 30.09.2025
• Tettnang: 30.09.2025
• Achern: October 31, 2025
• Wolfach: October 31, 2025
• Albstadt: 30.11.2025
• Ettlingen: 30.11.2025
• Brackenheim: 30.11.2025
• Müllheim: 30.11.2025
• Herrenberg: 30.11.2025

The KVBW refers to the existing lack of doctors as the reason for the closures. Previously, eight practices have already been closed permanently last year. The remaining practices are supposed to react with more capacities and extended opening times, which could not be unproblematic if demand increases.

consequences for emergency care

The SPD in the state parliament warns that the closures will also burden the surrounding emergency rooms. In the past, more patients have already been dealt with in a local emergency room than in the previous year, especially during the weekends from November 2023 to March 2024. Andreas Gassen, CEO of the KBV, emphasized. Many patients who seeking the emergency service have no medical emergency, which also claims the capacities.

In order to better control the patient flows, the introduction of a standardized medical initial assessment is discussed. This could take place by phone or online and give recommendations for further treatment. The goal is to provide the people who need medical help in the best possible way and thus avoid supply bottlenecks. For example, there is a warning of possible supply gaps according to the planned closures. Therefore, an information platform is required for better information about emergency care.

The municipalities are committed to more say in the planning of the emergency practices and require them to be informed in good time and comprehensively. It remains to be seen how the social court will decide on the application for an interim order to prevent short -term closures.

For more information about the emergency care, interested parties can visit the website of the Federal Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians or use the closure plans on SWR Aktuell as well as the