Overview

• Employers’ federation chief Steffen Kampeter proposed charging patients at each doctor visit to curb “Ärzte-Hopping” and ease statutory insurance costs.
• Hausärzteverband chair Nicola Buhlinger-Göpfarth labeled the idea “unsozial” and “komplett undurchdacht,” warning it would deter necessary care and hit chronically ill people hardest.
• Patient advocates and the Verdi union also opposed the plan, citing evidence that the former practice fee lacked a steering effect, led to late treatments, and created extra paperwork.
• CSU politician Klaus Holetschek rejected the fee and argued for a primary-care model in which a chosen GP coordinates specialist access.
• CDU general secretary Carsten Linnemann said broader social-insurance reforms are under commission review, and no policy change has been adopted despite fiscal pressure highlighted by the Bundesrechnungshof.