Citizens' decision in Baden-Baden: Clinic future at the Münchfeldsee in danger!

Citizens' decision in Baden-Baden: Clinic future at the Münchfeldsee in danger!

In the idyllic city of Baden-Baden, it is currently bubbling tremendously because a citizens' decision is approaching the future of health care. On Sunday, June 28, 2025, the more than 42,000 citizens entitled to vote can decide whether the construction of a new central clinic in the Rastatt district should be pursued or whether the city of Baden-Baden may defend its clinic location. The initiative "Yes! Zu Baden-Baden" rises against the plans of the municipal council and green-black state government, which advocate a closure of the current hospital. The aim of the hospital reform is to make health care in the region more effective and cheaper.

according to stern.de should reduce the number of hospital beds and instead more to reduce medical care set. A new clinic is to be created at the Münchfeldsee, in the Rastatt district, which some citizens considered to be risky. Skeptics warn of environmental and health risks that could be connected to the new location. However, the supporters argue that a modern clinic building in Rastatt could ensure the quality of the care for around 300,000 people in Mittelbaden.

Citizens' decision: Voices according to the location of the future

The citizens' decision could have long-lasting consequences for the health landscape in Baden-Baden. In the case of a majority for the withdrawal of the municipal council decision, the mayor of Baden-Baden would have to work for the preservation of the clinic location. However, if the new location in Rastatt is approved, the project could continue to be promoted in the coming years with an expected commissioning in 2033, the Tagesschau .

The city administration and those responsible for the Clinic in Mittelbaden look at the decision. They fear possible years of delaying during construction. Rastatt has identified an expert opinion as the best location, since 90% of the region can be reached within 30 minutes, and promises numerous advantages such as better personnel availability and lower operating costs.

financial challenges and support for the new building

Another aspect that revives the discussion about the new clinic location is the financial framework. Baden-Baden faces the challenge of losing over 350 million euros in funding, which the city could provide problems with immense problems. These concerns cannot be dismissed, because the hospital reform, also known as the hospital care improvement law, is considered overdue and necessary by Health Minister Karl Lauterbach in order to reduce costs in the health sector. The Bundestag also voted in October 2024 for this reform, which promises to be de-bureaucratization and improvement in efficiency in rural regions such as Mittelbaden, as the Bundestag documentation explained.

The outcome of the citizens' decision on Sunday will not only decide on 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 discussion between the supporters of a modern clinic in Rastatt and the protectors of the traditional location in Baden-Baden. In the end, the decision about where the city will be medical care in the coming years could be in the hands of the citizens entitled to vote.