Statutory Insurers Sue Federal Government for €10 Billion as Audit Confirms Deepening GKV Funding Crisis
The lawsuit over Bürgergeld health costs intensifies pressure on Berlin to choose near‑term financing measures.
Overview
- The GKV-Spitzenverband filed a claim at the Landessozialgericht Nordrhein-Westfalen seeking roughly €10 billion, disputing 2026 allocations by the Federal Office for Social Security tied to Bürgergeld healthcare costs.
- A Bundesrechnungshof report and insurer statements highlight a widening gap as first‑half 2025 GKV spending rose 7.8% to €176.8 billion, with hospital costs up 9.6%.
- Health Minister Nina Warken has formed the FinanzKommission Gesundheit to deliver initial stabilization proposals by March 2026 aimed at holding contribution rates from 2027.
- Insurers propose an Ausgabenmoratorium so prices and medical fees do not outpace GKV revenues, arguing this could help avoid contribution hikes at the turn of the year.
- Jens Spahn and fund leaders say only two short‑term paths remain to avert increases—more federal subsidy or immediate savings laws—after reserves were largely exhausted and deficits persisted.