Following recent coalition consultations, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken expressed optimism about her savings package to ease pressure on health insurance funds. The mediation committee meets on December 17 to resolve the stalled law, averting potential contribution hikes for millions in 2026.
Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) voiced confidence in an interview with the Rheinische Post about reaching agreement on her savings package for statutory health insurance funds, building on the coalition's recent overnight talks. "We are in good talks. I am confident that we will find a solution," she said. The Bundestag-Bundesrat mediation committee convenes December 17, ahead of the next Bundesrat session.
The law, aimed at implementation from early 2026, remains stalled mainly over clinic reimbursements, after states rejected it cross-party in the Bundesrat. This threatens supplementary contribution increases warned of by funds in November. The package caps clinic cost rises to match actual inflation, reducing contribution pressure. Warken noted additional federal structural reforms as planned.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) echoes the optimism, expecting two billion euros in total relief measures. Meanwhile, Andreas Gassen, president of the German Federal Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, urged funds to halt homeopathic treatment coverage, defund unproven DiGA apps like smoking cessation tools, and shutter more clinics.
