The German government is facing increasing pressure to address a looming funding crisis within the statutory health insurance system, with Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) reportedly considering a substantial increase in patient co-payments as a potential solution. According to reports from the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, the proposals under consideration involve a blanket 50% increase across all patient contributions, sparking immediate criticism from opposition parties and patient advocacy groups.
The proposed changes would significantly impact the cost of medication for insured individuals. Currently, patients contribute 10% of the drug price; this would rise to 15%. The minimum co-payment would increase from €5 to €7.50 and the maximum from €10 to €15. Daily hospital stays would also see a corresponding rise in patient contributions, jumping from €10 to €15.
This move appears to be a direct consequence of an agreement between the CDU and SPD, which committed to maintaining contribution rates in both health and care insurance throughout 2026. This pre-existing commitment, effectively capping revenue, has exacerbated the current financial strain on the system, estimated at billions of euros annually. Roughly half of the approximately €5 billion generated by patient co-payments each year stems from drug purchases.
While the government argues that these adjustments are necessary to maintain the stability of the health insurance system and avoid potential cuts in services, critics argue that increasing patient contributions disproportionately burdens low-income individuals and families. The current co-payment structure, established in 2004 and unchanged since then, was already criticized for creating barriers to accessing necessary healthcare.
Opposition parties are accusing the CDU/SPD coalition of a short-sighted approach, suggesting that a more comprehensive reform of the healthcare financing model is required, rather than placing the onus on patients. Concerns are also being raised about the potential for increased self-medication and delayed treatment due to the higher costs, ultimately undermining the goals of preventative healthcare. The proposals are expected to trigger intense debate in the Bundestag and could significantly alter the landscape of healthcare access and affordability in Germany.
