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Karl Lauterbach speaking in the Bundestag in 2022
Image: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture allianceImage: Kay Nietfeld/dpa/picture alliance

Karl Lauterbach

Karl Lauterbach is a German physician, epidemiologist, health economist,and politician. He has been a Social Democrat lawmaker since 2005 and Federal Minister of Health since December 2021

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

An 2014 archive image of surgeons performing intervertebral disc surgery on the lumbar spine

How to fix Germany's ailing health care system

How to fix Germany's ailing health care system

Germany's health minister has forged ahead with a plan to slash the number of hospitals and digitalize bureaucracy.
HealthOctober 21, 2024
A demonstrator reacts in front of police officers during a protest against the government's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions in Kassel, March, 20, 2021.

Germany grapples with divisive impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Germany grapples with divisive impact of COVID-19 pandemic

Masks, lockdowns and social distancing: Rarely has government policy polarized society as it did over COVID-19.
PoliticsOctober 19, 2024
An ambulance rushing through the busy streets of Düsseldorf

Germany's ailing emergency health care service needs revamp

Germany's ailing emergency health care service needs revamp

In emergencies, the chances of survival in Germany vary greatly across the country — despite high health expenditures.
HealthJuly 21, 2024
Berlin | Coronavirus | Demonstration

German Bundestag considers COVID-19 inquiry

German Bundestag considers COVID-19 inquiry

Many German politicians and health experts are now calling for a review of the government's COVID-19 pandemic response.
PoliticsApril 4, 2024
Sign dangling on a door: "Streik! Praxis geschlossen!" (On Strike! Practice closed!)

German doctors on strike at the height of COVID, flu season

German doctors on strike at the height of COVID, flu season

Doctors are protesting low earnings and stifling bureaucracy. But the Health Ministry has rejected their demands.
HealthDecember 28, 2023
German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach poses in front of a pink digital billboard reading "Cannabis is legal, but ..."

Germany takes step toward legalizing marijuana

Germany takes step toward legalizing marijuana

The government has signed off on a draft bill allowing adults to buy and possess small amounts of cannabis.
Law and JusticeAugust 16, 202302:07 min
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Skip next section In the spotlight

In the spotlight

discarded mask on the ground on a street

Germany's new COVID debate

Germany debates lifting COVID restrictions; the EU considers imposing new ones as China lifts travel restrictions.
HealthDecember 29, 2022
A nurse preparing equipment in an emergency ward

Germany's small hospitals are disappearing

The health care system can't afford to keep them all open. But critics say patients may die due to closures.
HealthDecember 18, 2022
An ICU medical worker tends to an infant suffering from RSV

RSV surge pressuring German children's hospitals

A respiratory virus is circulating in Germany, hitting the youngest the hardest. But the acute situation was foreseen.
HealthDecember 6, 2022
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