SCHWERIN/BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) is calling on the federal government for flexibility regarding a spending cap aimed at stabilizing health insurance contributions in the coming year. Schwesig expects a willingness to compromise in order to reach an agreement on Wednesday evening in the mediation committee of the Bundesrat. If this fails, the law cannot be put to a vote in the Bundesrat on Friday, Schwesig said. She is one of two chairs of the mediation committee between the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
The SPD politician appealed to Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) to find an alternative solution for the hospital savings contribution of 1.8 billion euros stipulated in the law for next year. The law is set to come into force at the beginning of the year and aims to help keep additional health insurance contributions stable.
Appeal for Willingness to Compromise
The Bundesrat blocked a savings law passed by the Bundestag and introduced by Warken in November. Now, the joint mediation committee is set to discuss a compromise. The resistance from the federal states is directed against savings of 1.8 billion euros at hospitals, which make up the majority of the overall 2 billion euro package.
Schwesig said a one-time small savings contribution from clinics would be acceptable, but not such a large sum. "You can't just go at it with a lawnmower," she said. For Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania's clinics alone, the savings plan would mean 40 million euros less in revenue than expected for 2026./ili/DP/stw
