The proposal by the Federal Drug Commissioner, Hendrik Streeck, to introduce patient co-payments for doctor’s visits has drawn criticism, particularly from the leader of the Left Party, Jan van Aken. Van Aken accused Streeck of portraying working individuals as freeloaders simply for utilizing a service they are entitled to – seeking medical attention when ill. He emphasized the right of citizens to access healthcare.
Streeck’s suggestion, outlined in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” stemmed from a comparison of healthcare utilization rates across European countries. He noted that Germans average ten doctor’s visits per year, a figure higher than those in France (five) and Denmark (four). He argued that a “moderate, socially acceptable co-payment” could help reduce what he termed “trivial visits” characterizing the measure as a form of guidance, intended to be streamlined and equitable, rather than a punitive action. He further called for an end to what he described as an “unsolidarische Vollkasko-Mentalität” – a sense of entitlement to comprehensive state-provided healthcare.
In response, Van Aken pointed to a perceived contradiction in Streeck’s position, stating that as a civil servant, Streeck does not contribute to the statutory health insurance system. He suggested that if Streeck were genuinely interested in a “fair” solution, he should begin by reevaluating his own financial commitments.
Van Aken expressed concern that the CDU/CSU’s approach risks creating a three-tiered healthcare system in Germany, where access to quality care is increasingly determined by financial means. Instead, he proposed the abolition of the contribution assessment limit, a regulation that currently prevents high earners from paying social security contributions on their full income, as a means of ensuring equitable healthcare access for all citizens.
