Overview
- The reform is intended to slow rapidly rising statutory health insurance spending and avert further contribution hikes, with broader proposals due by the end of 2026.
- A YouGov survey for DPA finds 81% expect higher copayments and 74% anticipate fewer services covered by insurers.
- Chancellery chief Thorsten Frei signaled that some services may be removed, while SPD health lead Tanja Machalet rejected benefit cuts and urged a focus on prevention and the commission’s findings.
- Health Minister Nina Warken emphasizes efficiency and care steering, with hospital savings of up to €2 billion taking effect on January 1, 2026, as total 2026 outlays are projected at €370 billion and a double‑digit‑billion gap looms for 2027.
- Sickness funds have sued over what they call roughly €10 billion in underfunding for Bürgergeld recipients, as employer groups push higher medication copayments and fees for direct specialist access and DIHK’s Peter Adrian doubts a commission will drive fundamental change.