A growing political consensus is emerging in Germany to end public funding for homeopathic treatments, sparking debate about resource allocation and the integrity of the nation’s healthcare system. Christos Pantazis, the SPD’s parliamentary spokesman for health policy, has voiced strong opposition to the continued subsidization of homeopathy by statutory health insurance (GKV), arguing that treatments lacking scientific evidence of efficacy should not be financed by taxpayers.
Pantazis echoed a previous proposal from former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, insisting that such “unscientific products” that offer no demonstrable benefit beyond a placebo effect are incompatible with a system founded on solidarity and increasingly strained resources. He further highlighted the public perception of fairness, noting the frustration felt by many citizens who are forced to cover the costs of essential aids like eyeglasses, while simultaneously witnessing public funds being used for homeopathic “globules.
The call for reform isn’t limited to the SPD. Ates Gürpinar, the Left party’s health policy spokesman, has similarly advocated for a complete removal of GKV coverage for homeopathy, emphasizing the need for evidence-based, solidarity-funded and accessible healthcare. Gürpinar emphasized the point that “the money of the solidarity community must only flow into effective care.
This escalating debate comes against a backdrop of rising healthcare costs and increasing scrutiny of public spending. The Federal Medical Association previously acknowledged the lack of evidence-based efficacy of homeopathy in 2022, further fueling the arguments for reform.
Despite the increasing pressure, Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) currently has no plans to revive the legislative process initiated by Lauterbach, signaling potential roadblocks to change. However, the recent shift within the Green party, who formally opposed homeopathy as a GKV benefit at their recent conference, demonstrates a broadening movement across the political spectrum. The question remains whether this developing consensus will translate into legislative action and fundamentally reshape the landscape of alternative medicine coverage in Germany.