Germany’s Healthcare Crisis Demands Bold Reforms, Union Warns
Germany’s healthcare marketplace faces urgent reform, according to Simone Borchardt, health insurance spokesperson for the conservative Union bloc. She has called for bold changes to tackle rising costs, staff shortages and an ageing population.
Borchardt stressed that the welfare state is at a turning point. Without decisive action, she warned, the country risks failing to meet growing demands in healthcare and long-term care.
Borchardt criticised recent short-term fixes as insufficient. Instead, she demanded sustainable reforms that span generations. Her focus extends beyond healthcare to pensions, social services and municipal support.
She outlined three priorities for the Union: a transparent overhaul of social security, removing counterproductive incentives, and treating health and long-term care as a single challenge. The sector, she argued, is vital not just for patients but for the entire economy.
The coalition has already proposed practical adjustments to hospital reforms. Plans include fewer performance groups, more cooperation between clinics, and a flexible timeline. Bureaucracy would be cut, professional autonomy strengthened, and a primary care system introduced—with GPs as the first point of contact. Insurance contributions would remain stable for now, while a commission explores long-term funding.
Borchardt also pushed for better use of existing resources. Germany, she noted, has enough funding and staff but fails to deploy them effectively. She urged integrating health education into schools and nurseries, with stronger leadership from the Chancellor’s Office.
Two commissions are currently developing strategies for long-term care and health insurance financing. Borchardt expressed cautious optimism about their findings but insisted reforms must start immediately.
The proposed changes aim to streamline hospital operations, reduce paperwork and improve patient access. A commission will examine how to fund healthcare and long-term care in the long run.
Borchardt’s call for reform highlights the pressure on Germany’s welfare marketplace. The next steps will determine whether the country can balance rising demand with sustainable solutions.
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