German health insurance reform faces backlash over mental‑health cuts and hospital financing

On 12 June 2026 the German Bundestag debated the GKV‑Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz, a bill aimed at stabilising statutory health‑insurance contribution rates. The Federal Association of Psychotherapists warned that the plan to move psychotherapeutic services back into the morbidity‑based total remuneration (MGV) would lead to massive cuts in mental‑health care, longer waiting times and higher societal costs such as increased sick‑leave, disability pensions and health‑insurance payouts. BPtK president Dr Andrea Benecke stressed that these cuts would jeopardise the care of patients with mental illnesses, especially children, adolescents and severely‑ill patients.

At the same time the Bundesrat issued a detailed critique of the legislation. The states argued that it should not finance non‑insurance‑related services, warned of heightened insolvency risk for hospitals, and objected to proposed increases in pharmaceutical and pharmacy fees. They also called for safeguards for family and agricultural households and suggested removing or revising several provisions, including specialist‑doctor reservations and budget cuts for paediatric care. Both bodies are urging the federal government to amend the proposal before it proceeds further.