The head of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has criticized the hospital reform that the Bundestag approved last week. By the end of the month, the Bundesrat will be reviewing the law.
“In pointing this at the federal government, I am showing how far it has bent for the interests of the states” Baas told ARD. “It’s about the rather trivial concerns of local officials who view the closure of a regional hospital as a catastrophe. They play local politics on the backs of patients”.
TK faces a projected shortfall of €12‑15 billion for statutory health insurances next year. Baas insists that the health system has enough money. “We have sufficient funds. What we need to do is think about how to cut spending. Yet the politics are quick to say, ‘then people have to pay more,’ which is irrelevant if people are already continuing the payments. The issue is how to reduce costs without raising premiums further” he said.
At the end of the month, a government commission will present its first findings on how to stabilize the finances of health insurers. “These are all renowned scientists, known for their good ideas. The real question will be whether the political leadership has the strength to make that happen. Forecasting the outcome is difficult” Baas said.
Whether many insurers will have to raise contributions next year depends on whether the federal government can close the fiscal gap. “I’m firmly keeping my fingers crossed because, in my opinion, the burden limit for insured people has long been reached. We can’t keep raising contributions every year. We’re at a pain threshold” he added.
If politics decide to stop insurers from voluntarily covering homeopathic treatments, Baas would see no problem. “If the government eliminated such coverage, I would take it in stride. If we ceased to pay for homeopathy, the world would certainly not collapse. The issue is that it saves little money; it would merely be symbolic. If the government pursues that symbol, I have no objection”. TK’s total asset base is €60 billion, and it has spent only a single‑digit figure in millions on homeopathy to date.
Finally, Baas questioned the logic of a mixed private‑statutory insurance system. “We must rethink whether a dual system makes sense. My answer is clear: No, it does not. What we really need is one insurance that serves everyone. Those who want extra coverage-say for an intensive‑care room or custom treatments-can opt into supplementary plans”.