German health reform raises insurance fees and draws union criticism

The German government has introduced the GKV Contribution Stabilisation Act, a health‑care reform that will end free family insurance in most cases. The plan adds a 2.5 % surcharge on the principal earner’s gross income to cover a spouse’s coverage, potentially increasing annual costs by up to €1,950 for higher‑income households. Exceptions remain for families with young children, caregivers of the elderly, disabled dependents or retirees.

The reform also raises medication co‑payments, allowing out‑of‑pocket amounts of €7.50 to €15 per prescription, and proposes a “partial sick‑leave” model that would require workers to return to work at reduced capacity while ill. The North‑Rhine‑Westphalia health minister has suggested that civil servants also be included in the savings.

The NGG union in Bavaria has condemned the measures as a “social cutback and clear‑cutting”, urging a reduction of VAT on medicines from 19 % to 7 % and calling for the abandonment of the partial sick‑leave rule, warning it would pressure employees to work while unwell.