Citizens' money: health costs explode to 656 million euros per month!

Citizens' money: health costs explode to 656 million euros per month!

The federal government's spending on citizens' money has reached alarming levels. The monthly costs for nursing care and health insurance for citizens' benefit recipients currently amount to 656 million euros, which corresponds to around 17 percent of the total monthly payment entitlements. This reports fr.de. The increasing expenses are primarily due to the health insurance companies' deficit of ten billion euros, which arises because the flat-rate contributions from the job centers cannot cover the actual costs. 

The job center pays monthly contributions for medical care for citizens' benefit recipients, with the amount for health insurance being 109 euros. In addition, care insurance is also paid to ensure a humane minimum subsistence level. The expenditure on health and nursing care insurance per household amounts to around 224 euros. In January 2025, 645 million euros were spent on social insurance, in December 2024 it was 581 million euros.

Assumption of costs and insurance coverage

Citizens' benefit recipients are entitled to medical care, which is paid for by their health insurance company. The job center pays the monthly contributions to the statutory health insurance, which ensures that these recipients are adequately covered if necessary. According to the specifications of the Federal Employment Agency As a rule, employable benefits remain insured with the previous health insurance company. However, people who receive benefits for those who are unable to work are not covered by statutory health insurance.

When claiming citizen's benefit for those entitled to benefits who are able to work, there is also a switch to compulsory statutory insurance, provided that voluntary statutory insurance previously existed. This means that these recipients must be protected not only from financial challenges, but also from possible health risks.

Political reactions and outlooks

The new Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) plans to cover the costs of medical care for citizens' benefit recipients entirely from the federal budget. At the same time, Warken is concerned about rising costs and has spoken out in favor of reducing the number of citizens' benefit recipients. Within the CSU there is also a call for a fundamental debate about the role of the welfare state and the promotion of more personal responsibility.

The upcoming changes and the associated financial challenges pose major tasks for both insurance companies and public finances. Given the fact that health insurance companies state that they can only cover a third of the actual costs, the risk of a further increase in costs cannot be ruled out. These developments raise questions about the future of citizens' money and social policy.