Business leaders in North Rhine-Westphalia are escalating calls for a fundamental overhaul of Germany’s healthcare system, arguing that drastic measures are necessary to avert unsustainable contribution increases. Johannes Pöttering, CEO of the State Association of Employer Associations (Unternehmer NRW), has publicly advocated for a serious discussion regarding the elimination of free partner coverage within the statutory health insurance system, a move that would shift more financial burden onto individuals.
Pöttering’s stance, voiced in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” signals a growing impatience with incremental adjustments to a system facing mounting financial pressures. The proposed reforms extend beyond partner coverage, encompassing the reinstatement of co-payments – previously abolished – and increased patient contributions towards prescription drugs. He explicitly noted that cost-cutting measures such as consultation fees for doctor visits and higher patient contributions for medication should not be considered off-limits.
A position paper from the German Association of Employers’ Associations (BDA) supports this perspective, suggesting that, considering the inflation between 2004 and 2025, co-payment amounts should be raised from their current €5-€10 range to €7.50 and €15 respectively.
The calls for reform are rooted in a stark warning about the trajectory of Germany’s social security system. Pöttering cautioned that inaction risks driving health insurance contribution rates to 20 percent and when combined with anticipated increases in pension and unemployment insurance contributions, the overall social security burden could reach a staggering 50 percent within a decade.
Critics are already raising concerns about the potential impact of such reforms on lower-income families and the fundamental principles of solidarity within the German social system. The debate highlights a growing tension between the necessity for fiscal responsibility and the ongoing commitment to providing universal healthcare access, positioning the healthcare reform as a key political battleground in the coming months. The government faces increasing pressure to address the underlying issues, but any significant changes are likely to be intensely scrutinized and politically sensitive.