Overview

• SPD leaders escalate public pressure on Health Minister Nina Warken, setting red lines to block higher Zusatzbeiträge at the turn of the year.
• Deputy parliamentary leader Dagmar Schmidt warns Warken against benefit cuts, privatization and additional burdens on policyholders.
• Warken has said a solution could be more federal budget funds and she backs tighter system steering and efficiency gains, including possible benefit reductions.
• FAZ reports that insurer spending has long outpaced revenues, widening deficits and putting early‑2026 contribution increases back on the table.
• Süddeutsche Zeitung notes Warken hoped to avert hikes with a federal subsidy, yet no additional funds are currently in sight for 2026.