Overview
- From January 1, a hospital savings package takes effect to trim spending by up to €2 billion, and Health Minister Nina Warken says all revenues and expenditures are under review with "changes for all."
- A YouGov survey found 81% of respondents expect higher co-payments and 74% foresee reduced services, while 60% anticipate stricter rules on direct access to practices.
- CDU officials, including Kanzleramtschef Thorsten Frei, suggested dropping some benefits to curb costs, whereas SPD voices such as Tanja Machalet rejected blanket cuts and urged waiting for the commission’s recommendations.
- A separate YouGov poll reported 37% expect the CDU/SPD government to end before 2029, and a Civey poll found 69% do not trust it to deliver a fundamental pension reform.
- Business groups called for sweeping social reforms and lower labor costs, DIHK president Peter Adrian questioned whether commissions will yield real change, and statutory insurers pressed for more federal funds as some announced higher 2026 supplemental premiums.