ADAC warns German health reform could limit air‑rescue services

The ADAC’s air‑rescue division carried out around 49,000 missions last year. It warns that a health‑care reform proposed by Health Minister Nina Warken, which would cap remuneration for services based on income growth, could create a financing shortfall of up to €221 million between 2027 and 2031. ADAC air‑rescue chief Frédéric Bruder told Bild that under the plan “we will no longer be able to rescue everyone,” and that a triage system might be required to decide whether patients are taken by helicopter or by ambulance.

The ADAC has joined DRF Luftrettung and the Johanniter organisations in a joint statement saying the reforms would endanger emergency medical care for millions of people. They argue that competitive pay for pilots, medical staff and support personnel is essential and that a wage‑cap would undermine the financial planning and sustainability of air‑rescue services in Germany.