The health policy figures from the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction are insisting that the federal budget must cover the costs for recipients of the Basic Income (“Bürgergeld”) as part of the health care reform, or they are prepared to reject the reform altogether. This is reported by “Bild” citing internal faction circles. According to the report, the principle advocated by the SPD-which requires all statutory health insurance insured persons to share the costs for Basic Income recipients-is unacceptable to the members of the CDU/CSU Health Group. During a meeting of this group on Tuesday, it was stated that clearer pressure must be applied on the coalition partner SPD. Johannes Winkel, the federal chairman of the Christian Union’s youth wing, strongly echoed this criticism. According to “Bild” Winkel stated during the Union faction meeting on Tuesday: “It is unacceptable that Nina Warken presents 20 billion euros in savings, yet the SPD simply says ‘no’ regarding Basic Income and gets away with it”. Winkel further emphasized that “there must again be a difference in the scope of health care provision whether a person paid contributions or never paid any”. Furthermore, the newspaper notes that discussions are underway within Union faction circles to reduce the service catalog for Basic Income recipients if their mandatory contributions must continue to be covered by all statutory health insurance participants.
CDU CSU Union Threatens Health Reform Rejection Over Citizen Benefit Funding
