Overview
- Germany’s health insurance umbrella group warned that some long-term care funds may need liquidity assistance in 2026 after federal loans to the care system reached €4.2 billion.
- Spitzenverband chief Oliver Blatt urged tighter criteria for care grades and a new savings package, projecting the average health contribution rate could rise to about 17.7% in 2026 and toward 18% by 2027 if reforms stall.
- Many statutory insurers have already announced higher Zusatzbeiträge for 2026, with Verivox counting 31 of 72 funds raising rates as the government’s limited hospital savings plan of up to €2 billion takes effect.
- The coalition has launched reform timetables, tasking health-financing experts to present initial proposals by March and a pensions commission to report by June, even as surveys find 81% expect higher co-payments and 74% expect fewer covered services.
- Coalition tensions and external pressure sharpen the debate, with SPD health chair Tanja Machalet rejecting service cuts and business groups calling for structural changes, while January’s higher minimum wage and contribution thresholds intersect with rising insurer surcharges to shape household budgets.