Former Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has voiced serious concerns regarding the proposed healthcare austerity package put forward by his successor, Nina Warken (CDU). According to Lauterbach speaking to “Der Spiegel”, he fears that the reform will worsen the situation for lower-income individuals covered by mandatory state health insurance.
Warken’s current draft bill introduces savings totaling nearly 20 billion euros into the healthcare system. The package is intended to prevent further increases in mandatory premiums and is scheduled for cabinet approval at the end of April.
Lauterbach expressed particular criticism over potential cuts to preventive care services provided by the insurance funds. He also warned that rising co-payments could force patients to forgo necessary treatments. More worryingly, he stated that if budgets for physicians are capped, there is a significant risk that doctors will reduce the availability of appointments for statutorily insured patients while focusing even more heavily on private insurance clients. Consequently, Lauterbach warned, “I see the danger that two-tier medicine will worsen”.
While admitting that cost limitation is necessary, the Social Democrat believes the reform must be paired with a guaranteed appointment system for specialist care to ensure that state-insured patients are not disadvantaged.
