The German Association of Cities and Municipalities (DStGB) is calling for a delay in the statutory health insurance (GKV) reform unless the Federal Government agrees to assume financial responsibility for the healthcare of Bürgergeld recipients.
According to Andre Berghegger, DStGB’s Managing Director, if this condition is not met, the health reform should not be passed before the summer recess because “the financial risks for us are simply too high.” Although local authorities support the goal of stabilizing insurance contributions, Berghegger argues that the planned cap on hospital staffing costs within the draft law would “create another hole of five billion euros in our treasuries.” He clarifies that local municipalities would then be responsible for financing the personnel costs to ensure hospitals remain functional.
Currently, the health minister, Nina Warken (CDU), is planning for the parliamentary approval of the GKV reform next week, a move intended to avert further increases in contributions at the end of the year.
Berghegger warned that an uncontrolled decline in rural hospital services would have devastating impacts, both on care quality and on political stability. “We must prevent that,” he stated. Failure to do so would mean abandoning the goal of guaranteeing equal living standards across the country. He concluded that securing adequate care and avoiding contribution hikes is only possible if the Federal Government finally fulfills its responsibility by covering the health care costs for those receiving Bürgergeld.
