Concerns are mounting regarding the escalating costs within Germany’s healthcare system, prompting calls for a reassessment of patient engagement and preventative measures. CDU health policy spokesperson Hendrik Streeck has advocated for increased patient responsibility and a focus on preventative care to alleviate the financial strain on the system.
Streeck highlighted a significant difference in healthcare utilization across European nations, noting that individuals in Denmark visit physicians an average of four times per year, while those in France do so approximately five times. In contrast, Germans typically visit practices ten times annually. He argues that this higher frequency often results in unnecessary consultations and places considerable burden on the healthcare infrastructure.
To address this, Streeck proposed a “moderate and socially compatible co-payment” system. He believes such a mechanism could deter what he described as “trivial visits” and conversely, incentivize preventative measures, healthy lifestyles and personal responsibility in healthcare management. The focus, he stressed, should shift from simply addressing treatment costs to valuing the prevention of illness.
Emphasizing the economic benefits of preventative care and improved health literacy, Streeck argued that proactive health management strengthens the system’s ability to support those with chronic, severe, or urgent medical needs. He cautioned against a “comprehensive, all-risk” mentality, suggesting that healthcare should not be viewed as a fully covered state service.
Beyond patient engagement, Streeck also called for legislative interventions to reduce medication costs, suggesting a “preliminary law” that could enforce binding price reductions on exceptionally expensive drugs as a short-term solution.