BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Ahead of initial consultations between federal and state health ministers on hospital reform, the German Hospital Federation (DKG) has called for more funding than currently envisaged. The reform plans drawn up by a commission of experts are based on a "false basic premise," DKG board chairman Gerald Gaß told news portal t-online. "According to the commission's ideas, the reform should only redistribute current funds." The priority of medicine over economics announced by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) remains an empty promise so far, Gaß said.

The economic pressure on hospitals is enormous. 60 percent of hospitals expected "in some cases deep red figures" for 2022. In 2023, hospital costs would also "rise twice as fast" as government-set prices. He warned that the hospital death "will probably reach a new peak this year."

Under the proposals of the government commission on hospital care, clinics would be paid according to three new criteria in the future instead of just flat rates per case: Preventive services, levels of care and service groups. Among other things, fixed amounts are to flow for the provision of personnel, an emergency room or necessary medical technology.

Patient advocates called for more consideration for the regions before the consultations. "Large hospitals in metropolitan areas are getting their way. Small hospitals in the countryside fall by the wayside. Far too often, the federal and state governments have given this game free rein. The bleeding of medical care in the region must be prevented by a hospital reform," said Eugen Brysch, chairman of the German Foundation for Patient Protection, to the "Rheinische Post" (Wednesday). The focus must finally be on the patients, he said, and the planned holding costs and investments must follow this goal. "Especially in rural areas, people need precisely fitting offers for stroke, heart attack, cancer therapy and geriatric medicine. This will undoubtedly cost money."/kli/DP/zb