Overview

• According to RND reports cited by multiple outlets, Nina Warken is considering raising the co-pay for prescription drugs from 10% to 15%, with the minimum rising from €5 to €7.50 and the maximum from €10 to €15.
• The daily patient fee for hospital stays could increase from €10 to €15 under the same consideration, broadening the scope of higher out-of-pocket charges.
• Warken’s rationale is to avoid further contribution rate hikes and ease insurer shortfalls, with current co-payments totaling about €5 billion annually under rules unchanged since 2004.
• Insurers and opposition voices argue for structural reforms instead, with SPD figures warning about added burdens on patients and Green health politician Janosch Dahmen cautioning about social fallout.
• The budget effect remains uncertain because of the legal out-of-pocket cap of 2% of gross income, or 1% for the chronically ill, and it is unclear whether the CDU–SPD government will back the idea.