German Health Minister Calls for End to Unequal Treatment of Patients Based on Insurance Type

Karl Lauterbach and the GKV-Spitzenverband demand reforms to address longer wait times for public insurance patients compared to private ones.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach criticized the preferential treatment of privately insured patients, calling it a form of discrimination against public insurance holders.
The GKV-Spitzenverband proposed that medical appointment allocations should be based solely on medical necessity, not insurance status.
Lauterbach urged legal measures to ensure equal access to healthcare and accused opposition parties of blocking reforms to address the issue.
Suggestions include requiring doctors to report open appointment slots to online platforms accessible to public insurance providers, ensuring transparency and fairness.
Public insurance patients, who make up 90% of Germany’s population, often face weeks-long waits for specialist care, while private patients secure appointments much faster.