Jens Baas, the head of the Techniker Krankenkasse, is calling for fundamental overhauls of the German healthcare system. Speaking to “Spiegel” Baas stated that the system already has more than enough money, noting that no other European country spends as much on health relative to its gross domestic product. He dismissed any political suggestion that more funding injections are necessary as “utter nonsense”.
While Baas expressed general agreement with the proposals from the government commission regarding healthcare financing, he urged caution, reminding people that these are only suggestions and what ultimately enters the law is what matters. Regarding the 66 reform proposals, which feature a potential supplementary relief of 42 billion euros, he described the resulting opposition as predictable, arguing that critics only seem focused on the welfare of patients, making appeals based on emotion rather than facts.
Baas predicts that without substantial reforms, the system is heading toward a steep crisis, warning that the contribution rate could climb to 20 percent. He urged the Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, to remain firm despite anticipated political pressure, asserting that her ability to implement sufficient reforms is key, and that this requires courage.
Baas was particularly critical of the pharmaceutical industry. He dismissed their threat to leave the German market if prices fall as a “sham threat” and “absolute nonsense” pointing out that Germany is one of the world’s largest markets with high prices, meaning no such perceived leverage exists.
Furthermore, Baas criticized a lack of “counterweight” to the pharmaceutical industry. According to him, the statutory health insurance funds lack equal negotiating power with the industry when setting reasonable prices, and he noted that politicians often lack the necessary courage. He described the industry’s approach as a mix of “pious intent and threats” which causes the argument concerning Germany’s status to hold more weight than in other nations, even reaching the chancellery.
