Crisis warning: Hospitals call for an urgent rescue summit!

Crisis warning: Hospitals call for an urgent rescue summit!

A storm is gathering over German hospitals. On October 17, 2025, the federal government decided on an ambitious savings package in the hospital sector, which will bring savings of 1.8 billion euros. In total, the package totals around two billion euros and aims to limit cost increases in the inpatient sector. This is done with the aim of stabilizing the financing of statutory health insurance (GKV) for the year 2026, like that Medical Journal reported. While hospitals will receive additional funding from November onwards to cover operating cost gaps from previous years, the voices of warning are not neglected either.

The German Hospital Association (DKG) highlights concerns about the “excessive regulations” and “unsuitable measures” that could result from the savings. Above all, there are fears that a cold structural change in the hospital sector could affect hours and content that are crucial for patients and employees. In this context, the DKG is calling on politicians to hold a crisis summit to clarify future hospital care and the associated effects.

The need for a crisis summit

The DKG's concerns are not unfounded. The current austerity policy creates uncertainty in the economic planning of many hospitals. The German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (DGPPN) in particular warns of additional burdens on hospitals, which could particularly affect those with mental illnesses. In view of this situation, the DKG is taking the initiative and showing willingness to actively help shape the necessary reforms.

In addition, the DKG board chairman Dr. Gerald Gaß Satisfaction with the consensus between various sponsoring groups on the upcoming hospital reform. This reform is urgently needed to ensure comprehensive patient care in the long term. The DKG is committed to the key points of the reform and particularly supports the concentration of complex treatments and the merger of hospital locations.

Structural change as an opportunity

In view of demographic change and increasing financing requirements, the German healthcare system is facing challenges. As in Economic service discussed, topics such as increasing efficiency, reducing bureaucracy and digitalization are also on the agenda. These reforms aim to make the healthcare system more sustainable, efficient and patient-focused.

The DKG calls for a planned transformation process that is based on the current hospital structures in order to successfully shape the required change. This is the only way to avoid cold structural change endangering acceptance among the population and putting patient care under pressure. At a time when the health of our population is a top priority, it is therefore of the utmost importance that everyone involved pulls together and works together constructively.