The Bundeskartellamt has blocked the proposed acquisition of a majority share in University Hospital Mannheim by Heidelberg University Hospital. The decision was based on concerns that the merger would significantly reduce competition in the region, limiting patient choice and potentially harming quality of care.

The merger would have consolidated the dominant positions of both university hospitals in the Heidelberg, Mannheim, and Heppenheim regions, affecting the market for acute inpatient hospital services. The Bundeskartellamt found that the merger would eliminate effective competition between hospitals and limit choices for patients and physicians.

Efficiency gains claimed by the parties, such as volume-outcome effects leading to improved quality of care, were considered by the Bundeskartellamt. However, it was determined that these claimed advantages were not sufficient to offset the negative effects on competition that the merger would bring. The decision to prohibit the merger is subject to appeal to the Düsseldorf Higher Regional Court.