German coalition's health law raises costs for patients, spares pharma

The German coalition government of CDU/CSU and SPD has passed the GKV-Beitragsstabilisierungsgesetz (Statutory Health Insurance Contribution Stabilization Act) through both the Bundestag and Bundesrat. Despite its name, the law will increase costs for insured individuals and patients by €3.8 billion in the coming year through higher co-payments, elimination of services such as homeopathy and cannabis flowers, partial abolition of family insurance, and a €300 increase in the contribution assessment ceiling. Total savings in the healthcare system amount to €18.8 billion. CDU health politician Nina Warken ensured that the pharmaceutical industry is exempt from additional burdens. Hospital employees face the prospect that only half of future tariff increases will be refinanced, likely leading to wage stagnation or job cuts, especially as the long-fought-for PPR 2.0 staffing ratio will no longer be mandatory.