Organization of health care services

On October 15, 2026, the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) announced that the Bundestag had adopted amendments to the Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) Contribution Rate Stabilization Act. A key change concerns the restructuring of reimbursement for outpatient and short-stay inpatient procedures, with Hybrid DRGs set to be abolished from 2028. From 2027, procedures without an overnight stay will transition to regular outpatient reimbursement, while procedures involving an overnight stay will remain under Hybrid DRG tariffs until new short-stay case-based payments are introduced.

On 8 October 2026, the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) reported proposed legislative amendments that could fundamentally change reimbursement for short-stay and outpatient procedures in Germany. Under the proposal, the existing Hybrid DRG mechanism would be abolished from 1 January 2028, with short-stay hospital cases reimbursed through a new system of flat-rate payments. Procedures without an overnight stay would transition to reimbursement under the EBM fee schedule from 2027.

On September 24, 2026, the Spanish Ministry of Health launched a hearing and public information procedure on a Draft Order updating the rules governing the Health Cohesion Fund (FCS). The update aims to align the Fund’s compensation system with current NHS healthcare needs, with changes expected across endocrine, gastrointestinal, endoscopy, extracorporeal treatments, neurology and neurosurgery, neurovascular, in-vitro diagnostics, and some other areas. Comments may be submitted until October 16, 2026.

On July 23, 2026, the Belgian National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance (INAMI/RIZIV) introduced a new Convention (agreement) to centralize care for patients with head and neck cancers at a limited number of approved reference centers and specialized radiotherapy centers. Healthcare organizations wishing to join the agreement should submit their application no later than October 1, 2026.

On July 29, 2026, the Spanish Ministry of Health launched a public consultation on proposed updates to the regulations governing the Health Cohesion Fund (FCS). The aim is to ensure that the Fund’s compensation system reflects the current healthcare needs of the National Health System. The consultation is intended to gather views before the Order updating the regulations is drafted. Comments may be submitted until September 8, 2026.

In July 2026, the Dutch government allocated €102.5 million to strengthen the national MedTech ecosystem. The initiative responds to the MedTech Growth Plan and aims to address healthcare workforce shortages and rising demand for care by supporting innovation, implementation, and closer cooperation among industry, healthcare providers, and research institutions.

In July 2026, an independent review of UK pathology services was published. It covers seven main areas: international experience, the devolved UK nations, quality, workforce, patient access, digital and diagnostic infrastructure, and value and funding. Among the six system-wide priorities, the report recommends aligning digital, workforce, and funding reforms into a single implementation program, moving towards activity-aligned funding through a price-per-test tariff model.

On July 10, 2026, the German Bundestag passed the Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) Contribution Rate Stabilization Act (GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz). During the parliamentary process, additional fiscal measures were incorporated into the legislation after it was approved by the Federal Cabinet to close the funding gap that had widened in the interim.

On July 9, 2026, the UK Government published its first annual progress report on the Life Sciences Sector Plan, launched in July 2025. The report outlines progress and next steps across actions intended to strengthen research and development, attract investment, and accelerate health innovation and NHS reform. The key developments include the launch of the National HealthTech Access Programme, and the introduction of Value Based Procurement guidance.

On June 30, 2026, an independent investigation into maternity and neonatal services in England was published. In response, NHS England introduced a 10-Point Plan setting out urgent actions, while the government announced the appointment of the UK’s first Maternity and Neonatal Commissioner. A comprehensive national action plan, outlining priority measures and long-term reforms, is expected to be published in December 2026.

Denmark is in the process of establishing a new national organization, Digital Health Denmark, as part of a healthcare reform to strengthen digital development and coherence across the health sector. The organization will merge the Danish Health Data Authority, sundhed.dk, MedCom, and the National Genome Center. A preparatory phase is ongoing in 2026, with full establishment planned for January 1, 2027.

On June 12, 2026, the Bundestag held its first reading of the planned financial reform of the statutory health insurance system (GKV). The German Federal Government has proposed a comprehensive reform package to address the severe financial deficit in the GKV.