Overview
- The Bundesrat has sent Health Minister Nina Warken’s €2 billion savings package to the Mediation Committee, halting the short‑term relief measure intended to ease contribution pressures.
- In a warning letter, the GKV-Spitzenverband says per‑insured benefit spending is set to rise 6.9% in 2026 while contributory revenues grow 4.0%, urging at least the planned €2 billion in savings plus further steps.
- The GKV-Schätzerkreis projects total statutory health spending will climb from roughly €330 billion to €353 billion next year, a 6.7% increase.
- AOK’s Arzneimittelkompass reports €59.3 billion in drug outlays for 2024, with patent‑protected medicines making up about 7% of doses but consuming roughly €32 billion (around 54%) of spending, prompting calls for tighter pricing and transparency.
- Despite widespread expectations of higher rates, AOK Bayern’s board recommends holding its 2026 contribution at 17.29% pending a Dec. 19 decision, while leaders at TK and DAK caution that many funds will still need increases.