The health policy members of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group are pushing for the federal budget to cover the costs for recipients of the basic income support (Bürgergeld) as part of the health reform. They have indicated that they might reject the reform otherwise, according to reports from “Bild” citing party circles.
These CDU/CSU members reportedly stated that the principle, demanded by the SPD, which requires all statutory health insurance (GKV) members to collectively bear the costs for Bürgergeld recipients, is something they “will not accept”. During a meeting of the CDU/CSU Health Working Group on Tuesday, it was emphasized that clearer pressure is necessary on the coalition partner, the SPD.
Johannes Winkel, the federal chairman of the Young Union, strongly echoed this criticism. According to “Bild” Winkel stated during the Union parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday: “It is unacceptable that Nina Warken presents savings of 20 billion euros, yet the SPD simply says ‘no’ on the issue of Bürgergeld and gets through with it”. Winkel subsequently asserted that, “there must again be a difference in the scope of healthcare provided whether someone pays contributions or has never paid one”.
The newspaper further reports that within the Union parliamentary circles, there are discussions about reducing the scope of services provided to Bürgergeld recipients if their insurance contributions must continue to be covered by all GKV insured individuals.
