Coalition plans to abolish free co-insurance for spouses

The German federal government plans to eliminate free co-insurance for spouses in statutory health and long-term care insurance. The move aims to plug budget shortfalls at health insurance funds and will make coverage more expensive for many families. Handelsblatt learned of this from coalition sources.

Reports from Berlin indicate that statutory health and long-term care insurance could become noticeably more expensive for many families. Millions of statutorily insured individuals currently benefit from free co-insurance for their spouses. The coalition aims to abolish this provision to address budget shortfalls at the health insurance funds. Handelsblatt obtained this information from coalition circles. Economists have praised the planned measure.

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Press conference photo of health insurance chief Andreas Gassen calling for abolition of voluntary services to save 1 billion euros amid 12 billion euro gap.
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Health insurers' chief demands abolition of voluntary services

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Andreas Gassen, chairman of the Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung, calls for the complete elimination of voluntary additional services provided by statutory health insurance funds to achieve savings. He estimates the potential savings at nearly one billion euros per year. This comes amid a looming financing gap of twelve billion euros in the statutory health insurance system.

As the April 29 cabinet decision approaches, Health Minister Nina Warken and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil signal openness to adjustments in the statutory health insurance savings package, originally based on the Finance Commission's 66 proposals. Following the recent draft release and coalition disputes, associations and opposition intensify criticisms.

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In response to last week's Finance Commission on Health report, German Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) plans to implement only select proposals. She rejects abolishing free co-insurance for childless spouses under six years old and advocates exemptions for caregiving relatives.

Days before the planned cabinet decision, the SPD warns against overburdening insured individuals with Health Minister Nina Warken's savings package. The SPD demands more cuts from pharmaceutical companies and efficiency measures. The Greens have presented their own counter-concept.

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Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil outlined a reform agenda for the coalition at the Bertelsmann Foundation. He demanded courage from his SPD, as 2026 would require boldness. This comes ahead of negotiations on a major package of measures.

The Bundesrat today refused to approve the tax-free relief premium of up to 1,000 euros. This blocks a key measure from the energy relief package negotiated by the Union and SPD.

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Germany's black-red federal government aims to pass a package of reforms covering taxes, the labor market, pensions and bureaucracy reduction before the summer break. A further coalition committee meeting shortly before the parliamentary summer recess in early July is set to make the decisions. Chancellor Friedrich Merz will invite social partners to the chancellery in early June.

 

 

 

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