Lauterbach envisions a "season of transformations" within the healthcare sector
Over the forthcoming months, various healthcare bills are set to conclude, commencing with the contentious overhaul of hospitals. Several parties have raised concerns regarding the impact on individuals with mandatory health insurance.
Germany's Federal Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach, has advocated for significant changes in patient care within hospitals and practices. Lauterbach stated, "We're confronted with an autumn of reforms in healthcare policy," during a budget debate in the Bundestag as an SPD politician. Germany has a higher mortality rate compared to other Western European countries and substantial discrepancies in life expectancy between the affluent and the impoverished. These issues need to be tackled.
"These issues can only be addressed through substantial structural reforms, not minor adjustments, and certainly not with empty promises," Lauterbach explained. Some of the key decisions being considered include the debated hospital overhaul, improving conditions for general practitioners, and stabilizing care financing. Lauterbach acknowledged that contribution rates are under strain, but argued that citizens shouldn't have to shoulder the burden through underperformance cuts, as politics has failed to implement reforms.
CDU and AfD criticize additional contribution taxes
Lauterbach's proposals received criticism from opposition parties. The Union's health representative Tino Sorge accused Lauterbach of denying reality, warning that the hospital reform "will not work by forcing it through." When considering the financial pressure on individuals with mandatory health insurance, Sorge questioned: "How many more times do you intend to raise contributions?" The AfD MP Wolfgang Wiehle criticized the escalating health insurance contributions due to excessive spending on unnecessary expenditures.
Lauterbach underlined: "The traffic light coalition is working in healthcare policy." He also encouraged the opposition to move past their complaints and join the conversation rather than retreating to clichés. The Green budget specialist Paula Piechotta posed the question: "Is it fair to burden the insured with costs instead of the taxpayers in hospital reform?"
The FDP budget spokesperson Karsten Klein also criticized, focusing on the federal states, that those advocating for increased hospital system spending should openly advocate for higher contribution rates. The SPD's health expert Heike Baehrens declared: "The contributors' ability to pay should have a limit." Lauterbach has previously hinted that contribution increases may be in prospect by 2025.
Lauterbach returns to plenary
Following his speech, the minister departed the plenary hall – leading to recalls. Following the Union's protest citing an appointment in the Chancellery, the acting president Wolfgang Kubicki acknowledged the dissatisfaction. He then requested that the government ensure Lauterbach's return, which was assured. Lauterbach subsequently returned to his seat on the government bench.
The following is added to the ongoing debate: Lauterbach defended his proposals, stating, "We're not shying away from tough decisions, including potential contribution increases, to better address healthcare issues."
In response to criticism about increasing contributions, Lauterbach asserted, "The traffic light coalition is committed to fairness in healthcare financing and will explore all options to sustainably improve our healthcare system."
