The German statutory health insurance federation (GKV) wants the federal government to increase the payments it makes to recipients of the Bürgergeld. To that end, the insurers have submitted justifications for 79 cases before the state social courts, according to “Handelsblatt” (Thursday edition).
In the medium term, the insurers aim to take the matter before the Federal Constitutional Court. There, they seek a review of whether the federal state adequately funds the health‑care costs of Bürgergeld recipients who are also covered by statutory health insurance.
The insurers argue that the federal contribution to the health‑care fund is too low. Currently, the state pays a flat monthly amount of just over €100 to each Bürgergeld recipient. Because this sum does not cover actual medical expenses, the insurers contend that employees and employers must make up the shortfall through their contributions.
Medical care for Bürgergeld recipients is, according to the GKV’s documents, part of the constitutionally guaranteed minimum standard of living and thus part of the state’s public provision of services. As a tax‑funded welfare benefit, responsibility for it lies with the federal government.
