The statutory health insurance system faces a looming deficit of billions of euros, prompting the federal government to plan spending cuts across the healthcare sector. Proposed measures include reductions in hospital spending, physician fees, and pharmaceutical drug prices. Furthermore, there are plans to increase co-payments for prescription medications for standard insured patients, or even eliminate services such as homeopathy altogether.
However, according to a survey conducted by Forsa on behalf of Stern and RTL, a significant majority of Germans are opposed to these changes. Only 23 percent of respondents think it is correct that standard insured patients will have to pay more in the future, while 75 percent reject the idea, and 2 percent answered “don’t know”.
Most patients find it unfair that they might have to pay substantially more at the pharmacy for necessary prescription drugs. Currently, the co-payments could rise to 7.50 euros, potentially increasing up to 15 euros per package, compared to the previous range of 5 to 10 euros.
Support for these measures is also unlikely among registered voters. A clear majority of supporters of both ruling parties are against greater financial contributions from insured patients. For instance, 71 percent of SPD supporters and 61 percent of CDU/CSU supporters reject these plans. Opposition is even stronger among supporters of The Left party, where 91 percent stated they disagree with mandatory insured individuals having to pay more out-of-pocket for medication.
Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) presented her proposals for healthcare reform last week, drawing considerable internal government controversy. According to Warken’s plans, savings and increased revenue are expected to generate around 20 billion euros. Three specific elements of her package have drawn criticism: cuts to the contribution-free coverage for spouses, raising the contribution assessment ceiling by an additional 300 euros, and the fact that insurance coverage for citizens receiving basic citizen’s allowance would be co-funded by the contributions of generally insured individuals rather than coming from the federal budget.