Increase in health insurance premiums Health Minister Gröhe speaks of alarmism

Minister of Health Gröhe warns of panic at health insurance contributions
Over the past few days calculations have been reported that health insurance contributions will increase massively in the coming years. The speech was about a doubling of the additional contributions. Federal Minister of Health Gröhe has now warned in this context of alarmism.

Debate about massively increasing additional contributions
In view of the debate over massively increasing additional contributions in the statutory health insurance (GKV), Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU) has warned against panic-mongering. As reported by the news agency dpa, Gröhe said that, in view of the latest prognoses of the health economist Jürgen Wasem of the University of Duisburg-Essen, this assessment far exceeds that of the Ministry of Health and the GKV-Spitzenverband.

Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe has warned in the face of the debate over massively increasing additional contributions from alarmist. (Image: DOC RABE Media / fotolia.com)

Additional contributions of over 50 euros
Only recently was reported on the calculations Wasems, according to which the additional contribution could rise above 50 €. The expert expects an increase in the average additional contribution to health insurance from 1.1 percent by 2020 to 2.4 percent.

Spending on medicines increases less
According to Gröhe, the health care rating group will present its forecasts for the coming year in October. These would certainly be lower. Among other things, the politician pointed out that spending on drugs would increase less than expected.

The Minister of Health sees no reason to deviate from the current funding. Gröhe said this in view of the demand of SPD leader Sigmar Gabriel to return to the equal funding of health insurance by employees and employers. The CDU politician consider that a campaign issue of the SPD.

Make healthcare sustainably affordable
Last year, Gröhe announced in a statement that the ministry would keep an eye on the additional contributions. He said at the time: "However, there is no such thing as a good supply at no cost." It is about providing patients with top-quality medicine and good care in the future, and making the healthcare system financially sustainable. (Ad)