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Statutory Insurers Sue German Government Over Funding of Health Care for Bürgergeld Recipients

They argue state flat-rate payments cover about a third of treatment costs, creating a €10 billion shortfall that pushes up premiums.

Overview

  • The first lawsuits were filed on December 1 at the North Rhine–Westphalia State Social Court, with additional cases expected.
  • The cases formally challenge 2026 allocation notices from the Federal Office for Social Security that set transfers from the health fund.
  • The GKV says the €133.17 monthly flat rate per Bürgergeld recipient covers only a third of actual expenses, leaving roughly €10 billion a year unfunded.
  • Seventy‑four insurers back the action, with major funds including DAK and IKK Brandenburg/Berlin announcing they will join.
  • The government has proposed about €2 billion in relief, while the GKV seeks a path to the Constitutional Court and says full funding could avoid a 2026 contribution increase of roughly 0.5 percentage points.