Following coalition negotiations and a December 2025 mediation effort on her stalled savings law, Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) received a major boost on Monday as a government-appointed commission of ten scientists presented a 480-page report with 66 reform measures for statutory health insurers in Berlin. The proposals aim to close a projected 15.3 billion euro deficit next year and generate over 40 billion euros in short- to medium-term savings, preventing contribution increases.
The finance commission, comprising experts in economics, medicine, and health research, worked without taboos. The Handelsblatt-obtained report builds on ongoing efforts to relieve statutory health insurers amid stalled reforms over issues like clinic reimbursements.
Warken must now select from the extensive catalog and secure coalition agreement to distribute the burden fairly. She has described the report as a 'toolbox' for her savings package, echoing her earlier optimism ahead of mediation.
Key measures include drug price regulations, new rules for doctors, benefit cuts, higher co-payments, reduced sick pay, a sugar tax, and elimination of homeopathic services. Some will impact patients noticeably.
