A leading intensive care physician, Christian Karagiannidis, has called for a faster pace in healthcare policy, stating that “we cannot afford to lose any more time.” As a former member of the German government’s hospital commission, Karagiannidis emphasized that the aging population and the rising costs of the healthcare system are exacerbating the problem.
While health insurance companies collect around four percent more in premiums each year, the costs are increasing by more than double, a trend that has been ongoing for a long time. The physician believes that short-term injections of funds from the state’s coffers will not be a sustainable solution in the long run.
Karagiannidis has also rejected the SPD’s proposal to increase health insurance premiums for high-earners, describing higher social contributions as a poison for the labor market. Instead, he suggests introducing a co-payment system for statutorily insured individuals, which could significantly reduce the number of minor cases in doctor’s offices and emergency rooms.
The physician also supports the planned primary care model, which would see the general practitioner as a guide in the healthcare system, helping to reduce the number of doctor visits. Furthermore, Karagiannidis advocates for a price cap on prescription medications, as the health insurance funds already spend around 55 billion euros on prescription-only drugs annually.