Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) expressed confidence in the continuation of the current coalition government until the regular end of the parliamentary term, asserting that the urgently needed reforms could only be implemented by the existing administration. She also noted that securing a prompt cabinet meeting concerning the statutory health insurance (GKV) financing reform demonstrated the feasibility of these changes.
Addressing criticism regarding her decision to take the ministerial office, Warken stated definitively that she has never regretted the appointment. While acknowledging that it is a challenging time, she conveyed enthusiasm for the opportunities to enact change. Despite the ongoing cost pressures and various issues she witnesses firsthand, she remains inspired by the commitment of the highly motivated and well-trained individuals who contribute to the system daily.
Regarding her lack of prior expertise in health policy, Warken suggested that her unbias perspective was sometimes beneficial, allowing her to approach issues without hesitation.
On specific reform matters, she appeared flexible concerning the family membership insurance, although she cautioned that backing away from her current proposal would lead to insufficient savings. Concerning the suggestion made by the North Rhine-Westphalia Health Minister, Karl-Josef Laumann, to transfer planned regulations for civil servants, Warken understood the concern about potential inequities among population groups, though clarifying that this issue falls outside her jurisdiction and belongs to civil service law.
Regarding the planned reform of long-term care, Warken highlighted that the spending in the social nursing care insurance has surpassed revenue for years, predicting a deficit exceeding 7.5 billion Euros by 2027. While she stated that the concept of a nursing care grade would not be eliminated, she argued that the classification process for grades 1 through 3 must revert to scientific recommendations, as the original entry criteria were significantly lower and unsustainable today.
When asked about the biggest lobbying group within the health sector, Warken responded with a laugh, noting that most interest groups are discreet in Berlin and are equally “noticeably loud”. She concluded by remarking that the initial impulse is always to identify potential cost reductions elsewhere, but that tactic simply does not work.