Hospitals in acute financial distress can now apply for liquidity support through loans from the Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg. The state Ministry of Health announced upon request on Tuesday in Potsdam that a total volume of a maximum of 40 million euros was available from state funds. Hospitals across the country are in financial difficulties, and in Brandenburg too, hospitals are making millions in deficits.
The Brandenburg aid program had already been announced at a hospital conference in January. This is intended to bridge time until the planned hospital reform by Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) can take effect. Whether a hospital that is currently experiencing payment difficulties receives funding through a loan with a term of no more than 5 years will be decided on a case-by-case basis, it said.
“The liquidity support is another additional support offer from the state government for the hospitals. “We want to build a bridge until the federal government has finally done its homework,” said Health Ministry Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens). Despite all the state’s efforts, the federal government remains obliged to adequately finance the operation of the clinics. “Liquidity support can alleviate the symptoms but cannot address the cause.”