Here’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the financial situation of German statutory health insurance:
Key Issues:
Increasing Expenses: Despite efforts to rebuild reserves at the beginning of the year, ongoing expenses for health insurance are rising.
Financial Gap: The Finance Minister will grant over 2.3 billion euros to health insurance companies next year, but a further gap of 4 billion euros remains uncovered.
Contribution Increases:
By the turn of 2026, there’s a risk of a 0.2 percentage point increase in contributions, bringing the total to 17.7% of gross wages (up from 17.5%).
If the deficit grows to 12 billion euros by 2027,further increases of at least 0.6 percentage points are expected.
Political Reactions and Proposals:
Chancellor Merz (CDU/CSU):
Sees a need for reform.
Suggests discussing the “level of performance” (what services are covered).
Questions the balance between personal responsibility and solidarity, suggesting these limits need to be redefined.
Health Insurance Companies (GKV):
Florian Lanz (GKV spokesman):
Rejects the idea of discussing reforms by cutting benefits for the sick.
Views the discussion about reducing the number of health insurance companies as an “alibi debate” that distracts from more serious reforms.
Believes competition among insurers leads to lower administrative costs.
Proposal to Reduce the Number of Health Insurance Companies:
This idea is frequently raised. Currently, there are 94 statutory health insurance companies, down from 122 ten years ago.
Klaus Holetschek (CSU): Argues it’s illogical to discuss billion-euro deficits while co-financing nearly 100 companies.
* SPD: Similar demands are made, with Jochen Ott (SPD parliamentary group leader in North Rhine-Westphalia) calling for fewer companies, less unnecessary examinations, more contributions, and a financially solid basis.
In essence, the text highlights a growing financial strain on Germany’s statutory health insurance system, leading to calls for reforms. While politicians like Chancellor Merz are suggesting a review of benefits and personal responsibility, the health insurance industry is pushing back, advocating for reforms that address the core issues rather than cutting services or reducing the number of insurers.