Cash contributions: “This is not an exceptional case, but rather an expression of a fundamental political failure” | EUROtoday

The announcement by massive statutory medical insurance firms that they might enhance extra contributions regardless of the federal government’s billion-dollar financial savings bundle has introduced critical accusations towards the black-red coalition. The Green Party knowledgeable Janosch Dahmen spoke of “fundamental political failure”. Around 75 million individuals with statutory medical insurance might learn of their mailboxes lately that the extra contributions are growing. “This spiral of inflation is a noticeable net theft from the wallets of contributors and companies.” Now even massive medical insurance firms have proven that they’re being compelled to extend their extra contributions due to the failed austerity bundle from Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU).

Two massive nationwide medical insurance firms introduced will increase of their extra contributions on Friday: on the Techniker Krankenkasse it rose to 2.69 p.c and at DAK-Gesundheit it rose to three.2 p.c. In addition to the extra contribution, the whole contribution that staff and employers share consists of the overall price of 14.6 p.c. It was solely firstly of 2025 that there was a wave of sturdy will increase.

“This is not an exceptional case, but rather an expression of a fundamental political failure,” Dahmen informed WELT. The monetary distress of statutory medical insurance can solely be remedied with brave structural reforms: a cap on drug costs, a discount in extra and incorrect care, clear management of hospital care based on high quality and wish, and a constant strengthening of main and emergency care. “If these questions are further postponed, there will not only be further increases in contributions, but also a permanent burden on the social security systems and our business location.”

“The financial situation of statutory health insurance is desolate,” stated AfD well being politician Martin Sichert WELT. “The federal government should keep its promise to cover the costs for citizens’ benefit recipients.” In addition, funds from the Corona interval have to be reimbursed to the medical insurance firms. In the long run, an actual reform is required wherein administrative prices could be considerably lowered by lowering forms. “This would not only save money, but also provide more time for treating patients.”

Left-wing parliamentary group chief Sören Pellmann accused the federal government of missing a plan. “It is destroying clinics and subjecting insured people to higher additional contributions instead of finally tackling the necessary structural reforms. The ineffective cuts packages do not improve the situation of employees or people who are dependent on help.” The resolution lies in the truth that the wealthy are now not allowed to shirk duty. “There needs to be a fundamental reform of financing with solidarity-based health insurance, no contribution assessment limit and the inclusion of all types of income.”

Further reforms introduced

Union parliamentary group vice-president Albert Stegemann (CDU) introduced basic reforms. Given the present monetary scenario and the challenges forward, it was clear to everybody that the present austerity bundle was just the start. “We need far-reaching reforms in which everyone involved has to play their part – doctors, hospitals, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers. But patients will also have to adapt to noticeable changes.” Otherwise, the burden on working individuals and the economic system would proceed to extend.

The SPD well being knowledgeable Christos Pantazis additionally emphasised the necessity for reform: “The statutory health insurance does not suffer from excessive benefits, but rather from a spending dynamic that has been unchecked for years without sufficient structural reforms.” Contribution payers are already bearing a historic burden – additional will increase in contributions are unlikely to change into a everlasting resolution.

“The hospital reform must be continued resolutely and developed further as a far-reaching structural reform in the coming year,” stated Pantazis. The identical applies to the overdue emergency reform and efficient affected person administration: “The pressure to act is enormous, there is no time to postpone.” This is the one technique to restrict the deficit of round twelve billion euros forecast for 2027 and maintain the contribution charges steady.

The Bundestag and Bundesrat lately agreed on a compromise that ought to keep away from spending as much as 1.8 billion euros. To this finish, the rise in clinic remuneration will probably be capped as soon as in 2026.