Overview
- An expert panel delivered a 500‑page report with 66 measures on Monday, estimating savings of up to €42 billion in 2027 against an expected €15 billion gap.
- Proposals include a federal takeover of health costs for basic‑income recipients worth about €12 billion, a cap tying practice and hospital pay rises to wage and revenue growth, and mandatory second opinions starting with knee surgeries.
- Patients could face higher out‑of‑pocket costs, with prescription co‑pays rising to €7.50–€15 and higher charges for hospital stays, alongside new revenue from higher tobacco and spirits taxes and a tiered sugar tax on soft drinks.
- The commission urges ending free spousal co‑insurance for partners without their own income and no young children, which would shift about 2.5 million people to a minimum €240 monthly contribution and save roughly €3.5 billion, drawing pushback from unions and the CSU.
- Minister Nina Warken aims to table a draft by July for changes starting in 2027, as doctors warn of lost appointments under pay caps, insurers say rates could stay flat or fall, pharma resists bigger rebates, and coalition talks weigh which parts of the toolbox to adopt.