NRW Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann, a CDU member, has criticized his CDU colleague Nina Warken regarding proposed reforms to the statutory health insurance system. While he supports the principle of an expenditure-oriented spending policy, Laumann stresses the necessity of increasing federal funding to secure the welfare of recipients of basic citizen benefits.
Addressing the issue of financing for those with basic safety net entitlements, Laumann cited a nine-page statement from the NRW ministry to the federal government. The statement notes that states have long pointed out that a sustainable level of funding for basic security recipients requires federal support. The authors argue that it is difficult for contribution payers to accept that their GKV payments are being used to co-finance core state tasks. Given this understanding, the proposed savings measures are viewed as unbalanced, inappropriate, and critically flawed.
Furthermore, Laumann objected to the plan to transfer the provision of free co-insurance for spouses to public service employees. He insisted that any measures implemented within statutory health insurance must also be effectively implemented under assistance law, requiring a closer coordination between the two systems. According to Warken’s plan, the co-insurance for employees would be restricted. In the future, individuals who are not employed and are not caring for children or relatives would reportedly have to contribute 3.5 percent of their partner’s income.
Finally, Laumann expressed strong criticism of the planned reduction in sickness benefits. He warned that the proposed decrease of five percentage points is highly critical, as insured individuals who leave salaried employment and depend on sickness benefits are typically dealing with severe illnesses. He therefore urged the federal government to first observe and assess the impact of partial loss of ability to work before making changes.
