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Germany's Health Insurance Faces Urgent Financial Crisis

GKV leadership demands immediate expenditure moratorium as contributions rise and federal subsidies provide temporary relief.

Overview

  • Germany's statutory health insurance system reported a €6.2 billion deficit in 2024, with costs projected to rise further in 2025.
  • GKV chair Doris Pfeiffer has called for a preliminary law instituting an expenditure moratorium on all service areas to stabilize contribution rates before the summer.
  • Health Minister Nina Warken has secured an €800 million federal subsidy to support liquidity but emphasized the need for short-term measures alongside planned 2027 reforms.
  • Eight statutory health insurance funds have increased their additional contributions in the past three months, with more hikes likely without intervention.
  • The GKV-Schätzerkreis projects a 6.8% cost increase in 2025, driven partly by hospital reform costs, further straining the system.