German doctors warn of practice shortages under new health funding package

The Kassenärztliche Vereinigung (KV) in Rhineland‑Palatinate warned that the recently passed federal health‑funding law, described by KV deputy chairman Andreas Bartels as a “notstandsgesetz”, will cut financing for doctors’ practices, clinics, pharmacies and the pharmaceutical sector. The law aims to curb rising statutory health‑insurance costs by limiting expenditures and increasing co‑payments, but KV officials say it will make it harder for new physicians to take over existing practices, especially in rural areas.

Bartels cautioned that the reduced funding could lead to fewer home‑visits and diminished care in nursing homes, as these services will now be subject to tighter budget constraints. The KV fears a decline in the number of independent practitioners, which could exacerbate access problems for an ageing population that needs more medical services.

The association called for a reversal of the policy direction, arguing that health provision should be based on patient need rather than the amount of money available in the insurance funds.