The head of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has criticized the hospital reform that the Bundestag adopted last week. At the end of the month the Bundesrat is scheduled to review the law.
In a TV interview with ARD, Baas said, “I am pointing this out to the federal government for bending itself so far to the interests of the Länder. It’s a trivial concern of local officials who consider the closure of a local hospital a catastrophe. They are playing local politics at the expense of patients”.
Baas pointed out that next year statutory health insurers may face a shortfall of €12‑15 billion. “We have enough money in the health system” he insisted. “What we need to do is figure out how to cut spending. Politics often suggests the solution is for people to pay more. That’s fine, because we’ll get the money back”.
The government commission is expected to present its first findings on how to shore up the finances of health insurers later this month. “These are all renowned scientists who are well‑known and have good ideas” Baas added. “The real question will be whether politics has the power to enforce them. It’s hard to predict”.
Whether many insurers will have to raise premiums again next year hinges on the federal government’s ability to close the fiscal gap. “I keep my fingers crossed” he said. “In my view, the burden limit for insured people has already been reached. We can’t keep raising contributions every year. We are at a pain threshold”.
He said the decision to stop insurers from voluntarily covering homeopathy would not be a problem for TK. “If the government were to eliminate that coverage, I would take it in stride. The world wouldn’t collapse if we stopped paying for homeopathy. The issue is that it saves no money. It would be a symbolic gesture. If the government can make that symbol, I would not oppose it”. TK’s total budget is about €60 billion, and it currently spends only a few million euros on homeopathy.
Baas concluded by questioning the viability of a system combining private and statutory health insurance. “We must consider whether such a system makes sense” he said. “My answer is clear: No. It doesn’t. Instead, we need a single, universal insurer. Anyone who wants extra coverage-say, for a private room or a specialized service-can purchase supplemental insurance”.
