Rising Expenses in Statutory Health Insurance
Berlin (hib/CHE) – Statutory health insurance (GKV) faces another major deficit next year. According to estimates by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband), the deficit will amount to around 17 billion euros in 2024, even after taking into account the special payments from the federal budget. This is significantly higher than the previous forecast of 10 billion euros.
The reasons for the sharp increase in the deficit are diverse. On the one hand, there is a sharp increase in expenditure, especially in the areas of hospital services, pharmaceuticals and doctors’ fees. On the other hand, there are hardly any more increases in income.
The GKV-Spitzenverband warns that the financial situation of the statutory health insurance funds is becoming increasingly difficult. “The financial reserves of the health insurance funds are melting away,” says GKV boss Gerald Gaß. “If the deficit is not closed, health insurance contributions will have to rise significantly.”
The federal government is aware of the problem. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) has already announced that he wants to provide additional funds for statutory health insurance. However, it is still unclear how much money will actually be available.
The opposition accuses the government of inaction. “The government is watching as statutory health insurance is sliding into a financial abyss,” says FDP health expert Andrew Ullmann. “The Minister of Health must finally take action and ensure that the health insurance system remains stable.”
The trade unions are also concerned. “The rising costs in the health system are a threat to social justice,” says DGB board member Anja Piel. “We cannot allow health insurance contributions to become unaffordable for low-income earners.”
The deficit in statutory health insurance is a major challenge for the federal government. It is still unclear how the government intends to resolve the problem.
Steigende Ausgaben in der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung
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