Germany's GKV Savings Law Threatens Psychotherapy Access

The Bundestag and Bundesrat have passed the GKV‑BStabG, a savings law for the statutory health insurance system. The Psychotherapists' Chamber (BPtK) warns that the law will cap outpatient psychotherapy budgets, eliminate the adequacy test and lead to a substantial reduction in treatment capacity. As a result, fewer therapy slots will be available, waiting times will lengthen and many practices risk financial collapse.

The chamber urges a corrective legislative package by September to protect adequate remuneration for psychotherapeutic services, especially for children, adolescents and severely ill patients. It also calls for an evaluation of the broader economic costs of the cuts, which could raise hospital, disability and sickness‑benefit expenses.

Opposition parties and health‑care experts criticize the measure as a superficial “sparing package” that fails to address deeper structural problems in Germany’s costly health system. They note that hospitals and outpatient providers are already facing financial strain, with possible closures and staff reductions looming.