German hospitals stage nationwide protests against planned health financing cuts

On Friday, 12 June, hospitals across Germany participated in a coordinated action day under the slogan “No money, no care”. The Marienkrankenhaus in Schwerte symbolically closed its main entrance from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to illustrate the impact of proposed cuts to statutory health‑insurance financing, warning that reduced funding could lead to longer travel distances for patients, longer waiting times and jeopardised local care.

The protests were supported by the trade union Verdi, which warned of a “spending spree” by health minister Nina Warken. The government’s draft reform aims to save €4.6 billion in hospital spending and stabilise the statutory health insurance by limiting fee increases and sharing tariff wage rises only partially with the insurers. Hospital representatives and unions argue that such measures would further strain an already understaffed system and compromise patient care.