Social organizations issue health care cancellation

Social unions of the people solidarity and SoVD give the plans of the Federal Government for health reform a clear rejection.

The Social and Welfare Association of the People's Solidarity and the Social Union of Germany (SoVD) demand from the Federal Government the preservation and development of solidarity health insurance. This was explained by the two association presidents Prof. Dr. med. Gunnar Winkler (Volkssolidarität) and Adolf Bauer (SoVD) on Wednesday during a trade event of both associations in Berlin. They gave a clear rejection to the health care reform passed by the Federal Cabinet on the same day. The project stood for
the privatization of health care costs and a change of system which, by fixing employers' contributions, turns the tried and tested solidarity principle on its head.

"The Federal Government plans unilateral burdens on the insured and patients, verbal trivialities do not change anything." In particular, the income-independent additional contributions contradict solidarity health insurance, because they burden the low-income recipients disproportionately and are thus highly anti-social, "said Bauer.

"The extension of additional contributions to capitation is superfluous and can be omitted, because there are alternatives," emphasized Winkler. On behalf of both associations he called for a return to full equality financing of health care costs and greater participation of higher incomes in premium income for statutory health insurance (SHI).

Both associations pointed out in the framework of the symposium on the benefits of a solidarity-based health insurance for all citizens. They vigorously warned of the consequences of a fundamental change of course in this core area of ​​social policy. Several health experts have written articles to show how socially balanced health insurance can be further developed in order to maintain it as a key element of the welfare state in the future. In particular, the author of the report "Health needs solidarity", Professor Dr. Dr. Thomas Gerlinger. (pm, 22.09.2010)