Before the cost‑saving proposals expected from the expert commission on Monday, the public appears cautious about potential cuts to statutory health insurance.
A survey by the research institute Insa for “Bild am Sonntag” found that 39 % of respondents oppose reductions in health‑care services for insured members. When specific measures were examined, only 31 % would tolerate a future requirement that specialist appointments must be preceded by a referral from a family doctor.
Other possible cuts received less support: 21 % are willing to accept reductions in the benefits catalogue of statutory health insurance; 14 % favour re‑introducing a practice fee; and 11 % could consider higher co‑payments for medicines and hospital stays.
The least acceptable proposal is an increase in contributions, with only 8 % willing to accept it. Likewise, the potential elimination of free coverage for spouses is strongly opposed: 57 % reject the idea, 28 % support it, 10 % are indifferent, and 5 % gave no response.
For “Bild am Sonntag”, Insa surveyed 1,003 respondents between 26 and 27 March 2026.
