Overview
- Oliver Blatt ruled out a revived practice fee and rejected unpaid waiting days, arguing such ideas shift costs onto patients and contributors.
- The GKV projects spending to rise about 6.5% this year with revenues up roughly 4%, warning of a new funding gap running into billions.
- Insurers call for structural reforms in hospitals, outpatient care and pharmaceuticals rather than patient charges to curb expenditure growth.
- The GKV urges a cut in VAT on medicines from 19% to 7% for an estimated €6 billion in annual relief and wants the state to assume non-insurance benefits tied to Bürgergeld recipients, a shift it says could save about €10 billion and lower contributions by 0.5 points; a related lawsuit remains pending with a ruling expected in two to three years.
- The government has tasked an expert commission to present stabilization proposals by March, with broader reform plans expected by year’s end, and the GKV warns some funds could otherwise notify members of higher supplementary contributions.