If we do not react quickly and very drastically, there will be closures, said the health minister, adding that he will negotiate with Finance Minister Christian Lindner on Tuesday about more government aid for hospitals.

However, to calls for some kind of ‘special fund’ for hospitals in Germany, similar to the 100-billion-euro special fund for the army, Lauterbach reacted negatively.

According to Lindner, Germany cannot introduce a special fund for every area, as ‘everything has to be paid for.’

The background to Lauterbach’s comments is the demands from the German Hospital Association for quick help from politicians, while society fears the closure of numerous hospitals.

According to that grouping, the funding shortfall for material and energy costs amounts to some 15 billion euros in 2022 and 2023.

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