Minister: Rescue Umbrella Prevented Hospital Closures - Minister: Rescue Umbrella Prevented Hospital Closures
Thuringia’s emergency loan scheme for struggling hospitals has kept several facilities open since its launch in summer 2025. The programme, run through the Thuringian Development Bank, offers up to ten million euros in funding to hospitals facing acute financial crises. So far, fewer than ten hospitals have accessed the support, but officials insist it remains vital for maintaining healthcare access across the region.
The loan scheme was designed to prevent closures by bridging short-term funding gaps. Hospitals with viable business models but urgent financial needs can apply for loans of up to ten million euros, repayable over 15 years. Minister Katharina Schenk (SPD) has stressed its importance, noting that the programme has already saved multiple at-risk facilities from shutting down.
The initiative builds on a guarantee programme originally proposed by Thuringia’s previous red-red-green coalition government. However, repeated delays pushed its implementation to mid-2025. Unlike broader reforms, this scheme does not aim to preserve every specialised service—such as hip surgeries—at all sites. Instead, its focus is on keeping essential medical care available across the region. The federal government has also allocated four billion euros in emergency aid for 2025 to support hospitals nationwide until the national hospital reform takes full effect. In Thuringia, both municipal and private operators can apply for the state’s loan programme, though strict eligibility criteria limit participation to those in immediate need.
The emergency credit programme has so far supported fewer than ten hospitals, but its role in preventing closures has been clear. With federal aid and state-level loans now in place, Thuringia aims to stabilise healthcare provision while awaiting broader reforms. The scheme’s long-term impact will depend on how many more facilities qualify for assistance in the coming months.
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