Seehofer receives honorary doctorate: Great praise for the Augsburg University Hospital!

Seehofer receives honorary doctorate: Great praise for the Augsburg University Hospital!

On July 19, 2025, the Medical Faculty of the University of Augsburg awarded Horst Seehofer an honorary doctorate. This is no coincidence, as Seehofer is not only an honorary citizen of the city of Augsburg, but also looks back on an impressive political career. In his laudatory speech, he emphasized the importance of the Augsburg University Hospital, which he described as a “decision of the century”. On February 16, 2009, he had already written in the city's golden book: "The university clinic is coming!!!" He saw the need for high-quality medicine in Swabia and Augsburg, supported by personalities such as Kurt Gribl, the former mayor, and Alfred Sauter.

With over 700 students enrolled at the Medical Faculty, the clinic's ability to connect with medical education in the region should not be underestimated. But Seehofer didn't just use the opportunity to congratulate himself. He also criticized former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's hospital reform, which, in his opinion, is leading to a worrying number of clinic closures in rural areas. “We need a concept from Bavaria for hospital planning,” he insisted, thereby questioning the basis for future health care.

History of the University Hospital

The Augsburg University Hospital has a long tradition that dates back to 1852. Catholic patients were cared for with a donation of 10,000 guilders from the red tanner Georg Henle. This care was taken over by the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy. Over time, the city's main hospital was opened in Jakober Vorstadt in 1859, where patients were accommodated separately depending on their religious denomination. Protestant patients were cared for by deaconesses, Catholic patients by the Sisters of Mercy. These foundations laid the foundation for modern healthcare, which has evolved over the years, including the establishment of new types of hospitals after World War II.

Today, however, those facilities are under pressure from current (partial) closures, which are being forced by difficult conditions. The legal changes to the Hospital Financing Act (KHVVG) are reinforcing this trend, which is bringing the highest health authority, the StMGP, into focus. These changes not only bring uncertainty, but also require rigorous review of the use of hospital funding.

Health policy statements

In his statement, Seehofer also expressed concerns about recent political developments. While he believes the new federal government has positive opportunities, he also regrets the credibility problems with regard to issues such as the electricity tax and the debt brake. In a tense political landscape, he also calls for better control of Europe's external borders and a fairer distribution of refugees, while also criticizing refugee policy as a whole. In doing so, he clearly differentiates himself from the current discussions about the migration transition and calls for reforms to citizens' money.

Seehofer is also satisfied with the rejections at the borders, which are being carried out under the leadership of Alexander Dobrindt. But he warns of legal uncertainties that could arise from Dobrindt's actions. Faced with these challenges, he calls for a strengthened health policy that meets the needs of all citizens.

Regarding the CSU's internal politics, Seehofer noted that he sees good successors for his party, but criticized the lack of women in leadership positions. He spoke indirectly about Markus Söder's politics by pointing out the formative role of his predecessors. And although he creates a breach for new ideas, he rejects naming a Horst-Seehofer-Platz.

In summary, Seehofer sees democracy in Germany as stable and mature, but faces challenges that cannot be ignored. The future of the healthcare system in Bavaria and the associated reforms are on the political agenda and must be urgently addressed in order to meet the needs of the population.