CEO Doris Pfeiffer warns of rising health insurance contributions and calls for financial reform to solve the problems.

CEO Doris Pfeiffer warns of rising health insurance contributions and calls for financial reform to solve the problems.

According to a report from www.rnd.de, Doris Pfeiffer, the chairwoman of the umbrella association of statutory health insurance companies, gives a critical assessment of Health Minister Lauterbach's statements regarding the development of health insurance contributions in 2024. In her opinion, the additional contribution will only increase by a tenth of a percentage point, which, however, is only a calculation variable. In fact, the average contribution rate is expected to rise to around 16.3 percent at the beginning of the year, which means an additional burden of around 8 euros per month for insured persons and employers.

In addition, she argues that healthcare spending has increased unusually, particularly hospital costs. She also warns of possible further increases in contribution rates in 2025 unless countermeasures are taken, and criticizes the Health Minister's lack of proposals for financial reform so far.

According to my calculations, the expected increases in contribution rates due to the increased expenses could lead to an increased burden on insured persons and employers in the long term. This could limit the population's ability to save and invest, which in turn could have an impact on consumption and the economy.

Pfeiffer is also critical of the calls for more tax money to finance the health system and emphasizes the need for reforms in the health care system in view of demographic change. She mentions that Germany employs an above-average number of nursing staff compared to other industrialized countries, which indicates a more efficient use of resources.

Pfeiffer also expresses concern about the current disputes regarding the minimum quantities for the care of particularly small premature babies and calls for a sensible distribution of financial resources among the necessary hospitals in order to ensure care for the population.

Overall, Pfeiffer is skeptical about the current financial situation in the health system and warns of possible negative effects on the population, the financial sector and the market if appropriate reform steps are not taken.