Referendum in Baden-Baden: The future of the clinic at Münchfeldsee is in danger!

Referendum in Baden-Baden: The future of the clinic at Münchfeldsee is in danger!

There is currently a lot of excitement in the idyllic town of Baden-Baden as a referendum on the future of healthcare is approaching. On Sunday, June 28, 2025, the more than 42,000 citizens eligible to vote can decide whether the agreed construction of a new central clinic in the Rastatt district should be pursued or whether the city of Baden-Baden should be allowed to defend its clinic location. The “Yes! To Baden-Baden” initiative is against the plans of the local council and the green-black state government, which are in favor of closing the current hospital. The aim of the hospital reform is to make healthcare in the region more effective and cost-effective.

Loud stern.de The reform is intended to reduce the number of hospital beds and instead focus more on outpatient medical care. A new clinic is to be built on Lake Münchfeld in the Rastatt district, but some citizens view this as risky. Skeptics warn of environmental and health risks that could be associated with the new location. Proponents, however, argue that a modern clinic building in Rastatt could ensure the quality of care for the around 300,000 people in Mittelbaden.

Referendum: Votes for the location of the future

The referendum could have long-lasting consequences for the health landscape in Baden-Baden. If there is a majority in favor of reversing the local council decision, the mayor of Baden-Baden would have to work to preserve the clinic location. However, if the new location in Rastatt is approved, the project could be pushed forward in the coming years, with an expected commissioning in 2033, they report daily news.

The city administration and those responsible at the Mittelbaden Clinic are concerned about the decision. They fear possible years of delays in construction. A report has identified Rastatt as the best location as 90% of the region can be reached within 30 minutes and promises numerous advantages such as better staff availability and lower operating costs.

Financial challenges and support for the new building

Another aspect that is stimulating the discussion about the new clinic location is the financial conditions. Baden-Baden is facing the challenge of losing over 350 million euros in funding, which could pose immense problems for the city. These concerns cannot be dismissed out of hand because the hospital reform, also known as the Hospital Care Improvement Act, is considered by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach to be overdue and necessary to reduce costs in the health sector. The Bundestag also voted for this reform in October 2024, which promises to reduce bureaucracy and improve efficiency in rural regions such as Mittelbaden Bundestag documentation explained.

The outcome of the referendum on Sunday will not only decide the location of the new clinic, but could also have far-reaching effects on health care in the entire region. The vote promises an exciting debate between the supporters of a modern clinic in Rastatt and the protectors of the traditional location in Baden-Baden. Ultimately, the decision about where the city will receive medical care in the coming years could rest in the hands of citizens who are eligible to vote.