Health Minister Lauterbach announces premium increases - what now?

Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach announces increasing contributions to health and long-term care insurance without taking political countermeasures. AOK boss Dr. Carola Reimann warns of a worrying GKV deficit and urgently demands structural reforms and financial relief for the insured. Find out more about the challenges and necessary measures in the German health system.

30. August 2024

NAG Redaktion

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increasing health contributions: horror vision or necessary reform?

The announcement by Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach on the upcoming increase in contributions to health and long-term care insurance ensures concern nationwide. This happens against the background of growing deficits in healthcare, which could already exceed the two-billion euro brand in the current year. Critics, like Dr. Carola Reimann, CEO of the AOK federal association, warn of far-reaching financial consequences for the insured.

The problem is urgent: In the coming year, an additional financial requirement of up to 0.6 contribution rate points in statutory health insurance (GKV) and 0.25 percentage points in social long -term care insurance will be forecast. These developments could lead to Lauterbach as the "most expensive Minister of Health of all time" in history if he does not take measures to stabilize the contributions in time. Instead, it is criticized that the minister continues to focus on a policy that will pass the financing burden on the insured.

The additional costs that arise from the planned transformation fund for hospitals are particularly worrying. Other measures in the government coalition could also increase the pressure on the contribution rates, including the cancellation of the budget lid for general practitioners and changes in the reimbursement amounts for medication. Many citizens are wondering whether these reforms actually bring added value to the insured or only further tighten the system's financial imbalance.

In view of the tense financial situation, Reimann pleads for the traffic lights to comply with their obligations from the coalition agreement. It also demands that the flat rates for civil allowance to be adapted in order to relieve the SHI in the long term. According to their statements, a reduction in the VAT rate for medicines to 7 percent could also be an effective step to stabilize the contributions.

The public debate about the increasing health contributions is not just a question of money, but also affects the well -being of the entire population. A comprehensive understanding of the challenges that the health system faces is essential. Only through clear, sustainable reforms can the GKV be directed to a healthy financial future in order to offer the insured person a real benefit and to ensure social security.

Overall, the call to a moderate expenditure policy, which is based on the income situation, is particularly important in order to equip the GKV for future challenges. The coming months will be decisive to see whether the government is taking the right steps to secure the financial stability of the health system.