German Health Minister Nina Warken pushes through GKV savings bill

On 10 July 2026 the German Bundestag voted for the “Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz”, the government’s health‑cost‑savings package championed by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU). The law aims to curb the growth of statutory health‑insurance (GKV) spending and to avoid further contribution hikes. It targets net savings of €18.8 billion for 2027; the original cabinet proposal covered €16.3 billion, leaving a €2.5 billion gap that the revised draft pledges to close.

Key measures include raising pharmacy co‑payments for prescription drugs from €5‑10 to €7.5‑15, ending reimbursement for homoeopathic treatments, reducing the fixed subsidy for dental prostheses from 60 % to 50 % (hard‑case rules remain), and raising the income threshold for contributions by €300. From 2028, spouses who are not employed will face a 2.5 % surcharge on the insured’s contribution, with exemptions for children under twelve and other vulnerable groups. The law also requires a second medical opinion before certain joint‑replacement surgeries, caps fee increases for doctors and hospitals, tightens pharmacy and pharmaceutical discount rules, and limits the federal subsidy to the GKV.

The reform was debated intensively, with criticism from the Greens, several state governments and the Bundesrat, which signalled possible procedural challenges. Hospital associations, especially in North‑Rhine Westphalia, warned of deeper deficits and staff cuts if the savings are enforced.