The Federal Government’s Patient Advocate, Stefan Schwartze, has voiced his support for a citizen’s health insurance model, arguing it would promote equitable access to medical care. Speaking to Ippen-Media, Schwartze emphasized that a citizen’s insurance system would ensure equal treatment for all patients, removing advantages gained through individual insurance plans and creating a system accessible to everyone.
While the Social Democratic Party (SPD) championed the concept of a citizen’s insurance during the 2025 federal election campaign, coalition negotiations prevented its implementation. Schwartze acknowledged that progress on this particular reform is unlikely to be achieved within the current parliamentary term.
However, Schwartze expressed optimism regarding planned revisions to the Patient Rights Act. He anticipates the reform will be enacted during this legislative period and aims to enhance patient access to information and address concerns surrounding certain optional medical (“IGeL”) treatments.
Specifically, Schwartze cited concerns regarding the potential risks associated with certain preventative procedures, such as ultrasound examinations performed by gynecologists. He questioned the statistical benefits of some such treatments, suggesting that in some instances, the risk of harm could outweigh the advantages. He further proposed measures to restrict the prevalence of what he described as “non-essential” or “potentially hazardous” IGeL procedures and to prevent them from being a prerequisite for securing appointments with physicians.
