Setting aside the political intrigue of the seven weeks leading up to Germany’s federal elections – brought forward by the collapse of the SPD-led coalition – medtech industry lobbyists remain focused on getting their agendas understood by prospective government hopefuls, whatever their political hue.
German Election Year: Medtech Industry Lays Out Ambulatory And Disease Management Demands
Medtech Manufacturing Ecosystem Demands More Support From Next Government
When federal chancellor Olaf Scholz lost his parliamentary vote of confidence in mid-December, it officially opened up the way for the elections the German leader had already penciled in for 23 February. The medtech industry has not been slow to set out its demands of the incoming government.

More from Germany
The IVD industry’s new 10-point plan for healthcare change shows that medtechs will keep calling the German government to account. Tariffs, sector resilience, digital functionality are among the pressing issues industry wants answers to.
Whoever is handed the health portfolio in Germany’s new coalition government will face demands to amend the recently-enacted hospital and DRGs reform law. The medtech industry has been quick to make the case for change.
Germany’s Union parties may have little alternative than to bring the SPD into a new four-year coalition, says Clifford Chance partner and life sciences legal expert Gunnar Sachs. Health policy will likely see both textural and structural changes.
Germany’s government-industry healthcare industry roundtables have yielded a final report, even though the program was curtailed by the snap election. The new CDU-led government should pick up the baton, medtech industry associations say.
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Medtech Insight sat down with Intuitive Surgical CEO Gary Guthart at the recent LSI USA conference to discuss the full launch of the new da Vinci 5 robotic system and planned digital enhancements. Guthart also offered his views on health care interoperability, AI regulation, outpatient surgeries, autonomous robots, and how the company is harnessing technology to shape the future of robotic surgery.
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