Political Salon: "Sick Hospitals – Profit or Patient Welfare?"

Trier, Saarburg, Daun, Gerolstein, Bitburg, Ehrang, Hermeskeil, Prüm – what do all these places have in common? They all have, or at least had, at least one hospital. In recent years, in some cases decades, some have disappeared, a few have grown, and the rest have had to reduce their medical services. And all of this happened for one reason: hospitals are very (too?) expensive, as are all other areas of the healthcare system in Germany. To keep costs at least somewhat under control and thus avoid further increases in social security contributions for employees and employers, there seemed to be only one solution: hospitals had to close or adapt their medical services. The only alternative appeared to be the creation of large hospitals with a comprehensive range of medical services. Currently, there are still over 1,000 hospitals in Germany, but as early as 2019, the Bertelsmann Foundation calculated in a study that the optimal number of hospitals in Germany would be "well below 600."

This makes it clear that many more hospitals will have to close. From a purely cost perspective, this seems unavoidable at first glance. But is there no alternative? Are hospitals really just cost drivers? After all, their purpose is to help sick people – does this mean economics takes precedence over health?

How did this happen? Who runs hospitals in Germany and how are they financed? Do we now have too many or perhaps even too few hospitals? And what is the situation in our region? What role do private hospitals play, which are not only meant to care for patients but also to generate a profit?

This will be discussed – specifically at the next event of the Konz Political Salon. on March 15, 2026 under the Topic: “Sick Hospitals – Profit or Patient Welfare?” We have succeeded in engaging a renowned expert in this field. Mr. Andreas Degelmann is one of the leading figures of the Augustinus Group in Neuss, which operates several hospitals there, among other things. He will address all these questions, thus laying the foundation for what will surely be an interesting discussion not only about hospitals, but about the healthcare system in Germany in general. The event will take place, as is now almost customary, in [location/location]. in the Konzer-Doktor-Bürgersaal in Wiltingerstraße in Konz instead and begins at 11 a.m. Afterwards, there is again the opportunity to conclude the discussions in a relaxed atmosphere over a glass of wine, juice or sparkling water.

The offer is supported by the Partnership for Democracy in the VG Konz and funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of the federal program "Democracy Live!".