The AOK has sharply criticized the draft law concerning the stabilization of the statutory healthcare contribution rate (GKV) that was approved in the Federal Cabinet. According to Carola Reimann, the Executive Board Chairperson of the AOK Federal Association, the law, which was initially intended to be one of the most crucial healthcare reforms of recent years, is now developing into what she called a “budgetary restructuring law” on Wednesday.
Reimann highlighted several major concerns, noting that the statutory health insurance subsidies face an annual cut of two billion euros. Furthermore, the planned increase in federal funding to cover healthcare costs for recipients of citizen benefits (Bürgergeld) amounts to merely 250 million euros, which she described as symbolic. She strongly rejected the proposal, stating, “This is not consistent policy; it is a parlor trick”. She argued that rather than utilizing the savings potential identified by the Federal Commission for Health, the expenditure side is simply being further curtailed.
However, the AOK did positively evaluate two elements of the draft package: the promise of a manufacturer levy on sugary drinks and the mitigation of social hardships regarding sick pay and the co-insurance for spouses. Despite these points, Reimann criticized the suggestion that the pharmaceutical industry in Germany should contribute an even smaller portion toward stabilizing GKV finances.
In her remarks, Reimann demanded that the legislative process must address existing imbalances and newly created disparities. She stated that the law, in its current form, cannot achieve its stated goal of contribution rate stabilization. She warned of potential increases in contribution rates over the coming year and firmly called for a sustainable contribution from the federal government to adequately fund the health costs for citizen benefit recipients. She maintained that the cut in federal subsidies is unacceptable and must be reversed. Additionally, she stressed that a substantial and effective contribution from the pharmaceutical industry is necessary for the GKV savings package.
