Politics · Germany · 6 hrs ago
German states challenge federal emergency care reform
Germany’s Bundestag passed an emergency care reform to help people with urgent health problems reach the right treatment.
Committees in the Bundesrat, which represents the states, are urging it to send the law to a mediation committee.
The states say some rules may exceed federal powers, because ambulance services are generally under state control.
The reform would create hospital-based emergency centres and a nationwide phone hotline to direct patients to suitable care instead of crowded emergency departments.
The Bundesrat will vote on the committees’ recommendation on November 20.
A mediation process could delay attached changes, including extra funding for hospitals and eased spending limits for psychotherapists planned for 2027.
German state representatives are resisting the federal emergency care reform approved by the Bundestag.
Two Bundesrat committees recommend sending the legislation to a mediation committee, citing concerns about federal authority over emergency medical services and state control of hospital planning.
The Bundesrat is due to decide on the recommendation at its next meeting on 20 November.
The reform aims to direct patients with urgent medical needs to appropriate care instead of overcrowded hospital emergency departments.
A mediation process could delay related changes to health insurance measures planned for the new year.
- Who
- The Bundestag passed the reform; two Bundesrat committees recommend seeking mediation, and the states will consider the recommendation.
- What
- The states are challenging the federal emergency care reform and may refer it to a mediation committee.
- When
- The Bundesrat is due to consider the issue on 20 November.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- The committees have concerns about federal authority over emergency medical services and want states to retain a role in hospital planning. The reform is intended to direct patients to appropriate care.
Federal government and Bundestag
Bundesrat committees
Authority over emergency services
Federal government and Bundestag
The Bundestag passed a reform with rules concerning emergency care.
Bundesrat committees
The Interior Committee says federal rules on emergency medical services should be limited to what is necessary and constitutionally permissible.
Hospital planning
Federal government and Bundestag
The reform provides for integrated emergency centres at selected hospital sites.
Bundesrat committees
The Health Committee says states responsible for hospital planning should be able to decide matters such as site locations.
The Bundestag passed the emergency care reform.
The Bundesrat's Health and Interior committees recommended referring the legislation to a mediation committee.
The Bundesrat is due to decide whether to adopt the committees' position.
Planned changes include easing spending limits for psychotherapists and providing hospitals with an additional 550 million euros compared with the initial plan.
- Bundesrat meeting
- 20 November
- Hospital funding
- 550 million euros more than initially planned
- Psychotherapist spending limits
- Planned easing from early 2027
- Reform service
- Integrated emergency centres at selected hospital sites
- Patient guidance
- A nationwide telephone hotline and hospital-based central contact points
What people are saying
limited to what is necessary and constitutionally permissible