No additional contributions for Hartz IV recipients

The Federal Minister of Health plans to release unemployment benefit I and Hartz IV recipients in the future, the additional contributions. But the project meets with criticism within the coalition.

(19.08.2010) The Federal Minister of Health Philipp Rösler (FDP) wants in the course of health care reform, the additional contributions of health insurance for Hartz IV recipients and subscribers of Unemployment Benefit I enacted. So far, the unemployed had to pay the additional contribution out of pocket, as employment agencies refuse to pay for the additional health care. But within the coalition, one at least only partially agrees with the plans of the Minister of Health. A new dispute within the coalition is building.

According to the draft law on health care reform, recipients of Hartz IV benefits, unemployment benefit I, social assistance, recipients of the basic security as well as members of the military service will be exempted from paying the additional contribution of the health insurance funds. Instead, the costs should be borne by the responsible authorities - for example for Hartz IV recipients of the employment agencies. The health insurance companies then receive the additional contributions from the state authorities.

But within the coalition, these plans cause incomprehension. As the CDU health expert Jens Spahn told the Frankfurter Rundschau (FR), about the assumption of unemployment benefits One recipient must be "discussed again". Because in the opinion of the health spokesman of the Union ALG I recipients would have enough money available to pay the additional contribution. Unemployment benefit I recipients receive 60 percent of their last net wage for one year. For Spahn is only the suggestion acceptable to relieve Hartz IV recipients in the additional contributions. Because these have just about 359 Euro Hartz IV rule set a month. The standard rate does not include health care costs. Only this point will the Union support.

From the Ministry of Health there was to the openly expressed criticism from the ranks of the Union so far no opinion. The health care reform will be implemented at the beginning of 2011. By September, the Federal Minister of Health has time to design and formulate plans. Then it comes to the vote in the cabinet. It can therefore be assumed that the additional contribution will be issued only for Hartz IV recipients. All others must either change the health insurance or pay the additional contribution. However, there is a right of termination only after notification of the additional contributions. (Sb)

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Picture: Harry Hautumm