Health insurance Hard cuts expected

Survey of health insured: Hard cuts expected.

(14.05.2010) Privately insured persons feel well insured according to a survey of the Association of Private Health Insurance (PKV). 89 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with their health insurance. 94% of PKV insureds are satisfied with their insurance. 44 percent of all respondents believe that they are well protected with a private health insurance in the event of illness. Better to be protected by a statutory health insurance (GKV), only 18 percent believe. The survey was commissioned by the private health insurance association of the opinion polling institute Emnid.

Probably due to the current debate about billions in deficits of SHI insurances fear 56 percent of the statutory and 35 percent of private health insured major benefit cuts in health insurance. 58 percent believe that the health insurance companies are in serious financial problems. With benefit cuts in private health insurance, however, expect only 35 percent. Four out of ten respondents to GKV insureds consider the annual tax subsidy for SHI insurances to be incorrect. For the private insured even fewer are the tax subsidy in the health fund as correct. Six out of ten PKV insured find the subsidy wrong.

Due to the rising costs in the health care demanded PKV-Verbandschef. Volker Leienbach far-reaching austerity measures, which should also benefit the PKV. "We urge vigorously that PKV finally gets an effective lever to bring about meaningful negotiations with, for example, doctors and pharmaceutical companies about quality and the resulting volumes and prices," said Leienbach at the presentation of the survey results. In doing so, a legal framework for a negotiating mandate at all levels is necessary.

Meanwhile, the Federal Minister of Health Philipp Rösler (FDP) announced a stick to the capitation at the GKV insurance companies. On 20 May, key points will be presented by the Ministry of Health. With the capitation, all insured persons should pay the same contribution, regardless of income. Critics point out that the introduction of a capitation is antisocial and the principle of solidarity is repealed. Furthermore, it is feared that the health insurance then offers only a basic services, all other services should then be privately insured. Before the NRW election, it had become quiet around the capitation, now the election campaign is over. (Sb)

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