The German Green Party has proposed a five-point plan aimed at stabilizing the financial situation of the health and long-term care insurance systems, with the stated goal of avoiding further contribution increases. Concerns have been raised within the party regarding recent proposals to adjust long-term care benefit levels, which members believe have created uncertainty amongst those affected.
According to a paper drafted by Green Party parliamentary group vice-chair Misbah Khan and health and care policy spokespersons Janosch Dahmen, Linda Heitmann and Simone Fischer, the plan focuses on shifting the burden of certain costs away from the insurance funds and onto general taxation. Specifically, the proposal suggests funding what the Greens consider “non-insurance related” services, such as healthcare provision for citizens receiving basic income support (Bürgergeld) and the pension contributions of family caregivers, through government revenue.
The Green Party is calling on Health Minister Nina Warken to implement significant structural reforms. This includes the full execution of the previously agreed hospital reform plan, modernization of emergency medical services and the implementation of a primary care physician system. Furthermore, the party advocates for increased regulation aimed at controlling the costs of innovative medications. These measures are presented as a path toward sustainable funding and improved accessibility within the German healthcare system.
