Schumann Defends Hospital Reform: No Closures, But Sites Could Change

The background to the discussion is a study by her own ministry, according to which hospitals with fewer than 180 beds could be closed. While the SPÖ has been internally squabbling for weeks over the future of small hospitals with up to 180 beds, Schumann had so far positioned herself as the great protector of the hospital landscape. On ORF, she continued to rail against a „Kahlschlag" – but left a crucial back door open.

Criticism from the Ranks

Criticism of possible closures also came from within her own party. From the SPÖ's party ranks, including those in Carinthia and Burgenland, concerns and criticism had been voiced. State politicians evidently fear that rural regions could be disadvantaged if their care structures are reformed.

At the same time, Schumann outlined what a further development could look like. Hospitals that currently exist and can no longer provide care for the population „nicht mehr vollumfänglich" would need to be further developed, and could in the long term be developed into specialist medical centers, primary care centers, or specialized hospitals. The aim, the minister stressed, was a comprehensive plan rather than individual units.

Expansion of Primary Care

A central concern of the minister is the expansion of primary care. „Wir haben jetzt 116, bis 2030 werden wir 300 haben", Schumann announced. There is a rush for new openings. While primary care centers are intended to relieve the burden on hospitals and outpatient departments, Schumann also sees the health hotline 1450 as a central tool for better orientation within the system.

Care Bonus to Be Anchored in Law

In addition to the hospital reform, Schumann also addressed the care bonus. This was introduced as a result of the heavy burden placed on care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic and, according to the Social Ministry, currently amounts to 2,200 euros per year for full-time employees, paid out in monthly installments. Federal funding is secured in the current financial equalization with the states until the end of 2028. Schumann announced her intention to anchor the bonus in law – „Das ist die geplante Vorgangsweise, gleichzeitig mit dem Ausbau der mobilen Pflege". The Austrian Trade Union Federation (ÖGB) pointed out that funding must be secured beyond 2028. The GÖD and vida unions expressed satisfaction with the planned legal anchoring.

In Salzburg, the state had announced in 2025 that it would no longer pay out the care bonus as part of austerity measures, which triggered protests. The plan was subsequently withdrawn. Schumann now wants to create a mandatory earmarking of funds for the care bonus.

Pensions and Prevention

On the general state of the health system, Schumann said: „Das heimische Gesundheitssystem sei sehr gut, so Ministerin Schumann, aber manches sei ‚in Schieflage geraten'". People were living longer, but not necessarily healthier lives. On prevention, one should not proceed with a „erhobenen Zeigefinger", but instead rely on incentives. Steering measures such as a sugar tax were in principle possible, but had to make sense. She rejected outpatient fees as a steering instrument.

On the issue of pensions, Schumann made clear that raising the statutory retirement age was not on the federal government's agenda. The current goal was to raise the effective retirement age and keep older people in working life longer. For the SPÖ, the issue of a millionaires' and billionaires' tax was also not off the table. The recently implemented VAT reduction since the beginning of July was also intended to curb inflation and send a signal of cost reduction.

Negotiations on the reform of social assistance („Sozialhilfe neu") were intense, Schumann said, and she expected a result this year. In the area of specialist doctors in rural areas, there was certainly a need to catch up, the minister acknowledged. The reform required a comprehensive plan that linked the individual parts together and enabled cooperation across state borders.

Instead, she continues to focus on expanding primary care and strengthening the health hotline 1450.