The head of Germany’s Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Jens Baas, has cautioned about a potential surge in health insurance contribution rates, warning they could reach 20 percent of gross salaries by the end of the decade if substantial reforms are not implemented. In an interview with “Zeit” newspaper, Baas expressed concern over a seemingly unending upward spiral in contribution levels, currently exceeding 17 percent.
Baas also warned of further financial strain on insured individuals, suggesting health insurance funds might be forced to increase contributions again at the next annual review. He dismissed the prospect of federal loans as a viable solution, arguing that reliance on government assistance signals a fundamental lack of systemic sustainability. “We don’t need loans, but genuine solutions” he stated.
The TK leader criticized the federal government’s approach of awaiting recommendations from a commission slated to present proposals in 2027. He deemed this timeline unacceptable, emphasizing the accelerating pace of expenditures. Baas has proposed specific measures to address the situation, including the federal government assuming the costs associated with healthcare for individuals receiving basic income support (Bürgergeld), raising manufacturer discounts on pharmaceuticals and rigorously implementing planned hospital reforms.
