The Deutsche Krankenhausgesellschaft (DKG), Germany’s leading hospital association, has issued a stark warning that the federal government’s proposed healthcare reforms could force the dismissal of 140,000 employees across the sector.
The group argues that the austerity measures outlined by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) are unsustainable and threaten the operational viability of the country’s hospital network.
The DKG’s latest intervention marks a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute between healthcare providers and the coalition government.
While previous warnings focused on the financial solvency of individual institutions, the association now frames the reform as a direct threat to employment stability and patient care capacity.
The group contends that the proposed budget cuts do not account for the structural cost pressures facing German hospitals, including rising energy costs and staffing shortages.
This development adds to growing concerns about the political feasibility of the government’s fiscal consolidation agenda.