Overview

• A July Forsa poll commissioned by Techniker Krankenkasse found 47 percent of Germans dissatisfied with the health system, compared with 30 percent in January and a nearly fivefold increase since 2021.
• Statutory insurers forecast a 2026 deficit of up to €8 billion driven by rising hospital and pharmaceutical costs, demographic shifts and underfunding.
• Jens Baas said many members feel they receive insufficient value for higher contributions, citing long waits for doctor appointments.
• Techniker Krankenkasse has called for an immediate cost-containment program designed to prevent premium hikes next year without reducing benefits.
• Insurers are targeting medication cost savings as a key lever to shore up finances and allow time for deeper structural reforms.