At the start of the German Medical Day in Hanover, Klaus Reinhardt, the President of the German Medical Association, strongly criticized the draft legislation put forward by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) aimed at stabilizing health insurance contributions. Reinhardt also used the opportunity to present his own compromise proposal.
Addressing the ongoing financial issues, Reinhardt opened with a sharp critique of Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD), calling the current willingness to fund basic welfare recipients’ healthcare costs an “affront”. He argued that rather than the necessary twelve billion euros, the vice-chancellor was only proposing a fraction of that amount.
In response to the Minister’s offer of 250 million euros-which Reinhardt called a “joke”-he highlighted that this meager sum was coupled with a proposed reduction of two billion euros in the normal federal subsidy. Given the tight budgetary circumstances, Reinhardt proposed that the federal government should initially allocate three billion euros in 2027. He emphasized that basic social security is “crystal clear a collective societal task” and it is irresponsible to shift the financial burden onto both contributors and service providers.
While acknowledging that the medical community is ready to save money, Reinhardt stressed that any cuts must be well-justified and balanced. He warned that policymakers must honestly communicate that reforms could have negative repercussions, such as longer waiting times or reduced time for consultations. To address this, he advocated for an independent “Provision TÜV” or auditing body, responsible for vetting every health policy bill based on patient waiting times, workload for staff, and regional supply safety. Reinhardt urged the Bundestag to incorporate this mandatory legal impact assessment into existing laws. On a personal note, he supported reinstating sick leave days, suggesting these would be a minor, defensible hurdle to prevent mismanagement.
Despite their disagreements, Reinhardt pledged to receive Minister Warken respectfully and courteously in Hanover. He stated that she cannot be held responsible for the poor situation she inherited. Meanwhile, the physicians’ union, Marburger Bund, separately advocated for stricter rules regarding the sale of spirits, suggesting that high-proof alcoholic beverages should be exclusively sold in licensed “alcohol shops”.