VDK rejects capitation of health insurances

The social association VdK energetically rejects a capitation at the health insurances: "Rent-zero rounds and capitation are incompatible".

(30.04.2010) The social association VdK rejects so-called head lump sums at the statutory health insurance companies: "Rent-zero rounds and capitation are incompatible," said the association's chairman Ulrike Mascher. For pensioners in particular, the flat-rate health insurance contributions that are independent of the income would be "unreasonable". The VDK reaffirmed its position in the context of the convened government commission on health care reform.

"Zero rounds in 2004, 2005 and 2006, mini-pension increases in 2007 and 2008, zero rounds in 2010 and almost certainly in 2011 - this means that the purchasing power losses of recent years will continue in the future as well Pensioners can not and will not accept a planned capitation on a flat rate, "explained Mascher, referring to the" growing anger and anger "among the 1.5 million VdK members.

Already the additional contributions of the health insurance companies would financially restrict many pensioners and low-income earners. "With average pensions of less than € 1,000 for men and € 500 for women, there is no room for maneuver." The measure is full, "explained Mascher. The tax-financed social compensation planned in connection with the lump-sum payment would be a "bureaucratic monster" and would "make millions of people petitioners," said the VdK federal chairman.

Better earners should pay more health insurance contributions, so the VDK proposal.
In order to finance the rising health care costs in a fairer way, the VdK demands an increase of the contribution assessment limit in the statutory health insurance at least to the amount in the statutory pension insurance, which amounts to 5,500 euros in the west and 4,650 euros in the east. This would mean that health insurance contributions would have to be paid even for incomes above 3,750 euros a month. "This would be the right signal for a consistent further development of the proven principle of solidarity." Strong shoulders must carry more than weak ones. "This principle should be particularly respected by politicians in times of economic crisis," the VdK president demanded. (Michael Pausder, sb)