German health insurers warn coalition on weakening health savings package

The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV), led by chief Oliver Blatt, cautioned Germany's red‑black coalition that diluting the upcoming health savings package would jeopardise public finances and force higher contributions. The package, slated for a Bundestag vote next week, seeks to close an €18.8 billion deficit by capping fee increases for physicians, hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry, while introducing higher co‑payments for patients and limiting free spousal coverage. Blatt warned that any rollback of planned cuts to pharma and doctors, or a softened hospital reform, would ultimately raise costs for insurers and the public. He urged lawmakers to resist lobby pressure from the pharma sector, hospitals and medical associations.