A few days before the government commission handing over its health‑insurance reform proposals, employer‑association chief Rainer Dulger warned that Germany’s health system is heading for a financial crisis and urged concrete changes.
Dulger told “Welt am Sonntag” that Europe’s most expensive medical care is being delivered “without the corresponding quality”. He called for an immediate spending moratorium to halt the rising contributions for employees and employers. He also demanded that hospital over‑capacity be reduced and that genuine efficiency incentives be introduced. He described the social‑insurance administration costs – more than €26 billion a year – as excessive.
In particular, Dulger pressed the federal government to raise the health‑insurance premiums for recipients of the “Bürgergeld” (basic income). Today the state pays only €140 per person per month to the sickness funds, creating an annual deficit of roughly €10 billion that would have to be absorbed by other contributors. “These non‑insurance benefits must be funded from the tax budget, not through social‑contribution payments” he said.
He also advocated abolishing the “free” joint insurance for spouses, a measure he said would ease the system by about €3 billion and fit into a comprehensive reform package.
The German finance commission for health – established by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) – has been working on proposals to secure the long‑term viability of statutory health insurance. Its report will be submitted to the federal government on Monday.
