Yasmin Fahimi, the chairwoman of the DGB union, has strongly criticized the savings package proposed by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU). Speaking to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, Fahimi labeled the Minister’s draft bill as having an “irresponsible bias detrimental to insured people”. According to Fahimi, the proposed law threatens both massive reductions in benefits and higher out-of-pocket payments for those covered by statutory insurance. She asserted that such “unfair cuts” would not be accepted quietly by the populace, noting that the federal government should not cut benefits from those who are already struggling financially.
The controversy stems from Warken’s presentation of a plan to save approximately 20 billion euros within the healthcare system, aiming to prevent further increases in statutory contribution rates. Her draft bill proposes burdens for all sectors of the healthcare system and is scheduled for consideration by the cabinet this coming Wednesday. Currently, ongoing negotiations within the government are determining if specific points of the law need to be revised.
The DGB’s principal concerns center on the proposed cuts that directly affect employees. For instance, Warken plans to lower sick pay benefits. Fahimi retorted that this represents a “severe blow to people with serious or chronic illnesses”. She added that simultaneously, co-payments for medication are slated to rise, even for those who already struggle to cover the constantly increasing costs of everyday medical needs.
Fahimi argued that these reforms seriously undermine the fundamental principle that healthcare access should not depend on a person’s ability to pay. Consequently, the DGB chief demands that “these reduction plans be immediately scrapped”. Instead, she advocates for a funding system for statutory health insurance that is based on principles of solidarity.