Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) - The state parliament opposition is calling for better state funding for the Hessian hospitals. Bankruptcies and closures are threatened or have already been initiated for individual wards or entire hospitals, said the health policy spokeswoman for the left-wing faction, Christiane Böhm, on Thursday in Wiesbaden and referred to cases in Fritzlar, Dillenburg and Melsungen. "The cost increases caused by inflation and the energy crisis are hanging like the sword of Damocles over many small hospitals that provide basic care, especially in rural areas," said Böhm.
Social Affairs Minister Kai Klose (Greens) called the concerns about the hospitals “understandable”, also with a view to the corona pandemic. However, the state has already increased investment subsidies by 50 percent since taking office three and a half years ago. In addition, the federal government also has a duty to finance hospitals.
The health policy spokeswoman for the AfD parliamentary group, Claudia Pope-Dippel, warned: "What we need is staff to prevent bed closures and hospitals that can financially meet their healthcare obligations." Coupled with the poor conditions for the nursing staff, the investment backlog worsens the situation for patients dramatically, especially when it comes to emergencies.
The FDP health expert Yanki Pürsün also criticized that the investment costs for the hospitals were insufficient. The health policy spokeswoman for the SPD parliamentary group, Daniela Sommer, said: "The financial pressure on the houses is huge and must be mitigated by the state government."
