German Court of Auditors Criticises Finance Minister Klingbeil's Health Insurance Funding Cuts

The Bundesrechnungshof, Germany's Federal Court of Auditors, issued a report on 8 June criticizing Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil’s plan to reduce the federal subsidy for statutory health insurers from €14.5 billion to €12.5 billion per year starting in 2027. The subsidy finances non‑insurance services such as free co‑insurance for children. While the plan proposes higher payments for low‑income beneficiaries that would only reach current 2026 levels by 2031, the court says this is insufficient. It estimates a total reduction of €4.75 billion in federal funding by 2031, stating that “Die Zahlungen des Bundes würden insgesamt erst im Jahr 2031 wieder den Stand des Jahres 2026 erreichen”. The audit calls the cuts “willkürliche Kürzungen ohne Bezug zur tatsächlichen Kostenentwicklung” and warns that “die Haushaltskonsolidierung ginge im Ergebnis also zulasten der Beitragsgemeinschaft”. Health Minister Nina Warken incorporated the reduction into her savings package under pressure from the finance ministry, despite the court’s concerns about stabilising contribution rates.