In addition to a higher additional contribution of 1.6 percent, Lauterbach is also planning cuts for the pharmaceutical industry and a federal subsidy that is two billion euros higher.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin The reform of the statutory health insurance scheme planned by Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach has met with widespread criticism. In order to absorb the foreseeable cash deficit of 17 billion euros in the coming year, the SPD politician presented key points with measures last week. With a draft law that has now become known, the proposals are taking shape.
In addition to a higher additional contribution of 1.6 percent, Lauterbach is also planning cuts for the pharmaceutical industry and a federal subsidy that is two billion euros higher.
“Without additional measures, the average additional contribution rate in the GKV would increase by around one percentage point from the current 1.3 percent in 2023 and then increase by a further 0.2 to 0.3 percentage points every year due to the gap between income and expenditure,” it says it in the draft law that is available to the Handelsblatt.
It is questionable, however, which measures the minister can actually enforce. In the traffic light coalition, dissatisfaction with Lauterbach’s plans is increasing. The Greens are calling for a higher contribution assessment ceiling, for example, in order to stabilize the finances of statutory health insurance and put less strain on lower incomes than with an increase in contributions.
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The better financing of the contributions of unemployment benefit 2 recipients agreed in the coalition agreement is also completely missing from Lauterbach’s plans. They burden the coffers with around ten billion euros a year. The coalition factions therefore say that there is still “considerable need for discussion”.
Consequences jeopardize security of supply
MPs from the SPD, Greens and FDP felt some were taken by surprise by Lauterbach’s proposals. Some coalition partners also want to overturn the planned contribution increase of 0.3 percentage points.
Additional contribution is to increase by 0.3 percentage points in 2023
Criticism also comes from the opposition. CDU health expert Tino Sorge therefore calls the draft law a “sham”. The fact that the price moratorium on drug prices is to be extended for four years is doing the “location a disservice”. This will only weaken further as a result of the plans.
And the Chairman of the Board of the Federal Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry (BPI), Hans-Georg Feldmeier, emphasized: “The price dictate of the GKV is driving European manufacturers out of the market.”
The consequence is that production is relocated to third countries, and that endangers the security of supply, especially in times of crisis. The law also provides for a kind of compensation brake for dentists.
>> Read here: Long-term care insurance deficit increases surprisingly sharply
This is a “frontal attack on dental care,” said Wolfgang Eßer, head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, on Monday. “This is a slap in the face for dentists, but also for the practice teams.”
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