A proposal by the SPD to have high earners contribute more to statutory health insurance has been met with resistance from the Union faction in the Bundestag. The proposal aims to stabilize the financial situation of health insurers.

Union faction vice Albert Stegemann told “Editorial Network Germany” that the coalition needs to ensure that no one is overburdened, “not even the well -earned skilled worker,” as they would bear the brunt of the additional costs.

Stegemann suggests a essential discussion on healthcare financing,focusing on efficiency improvements rather than increased burdens.

Health insurance companies are looking to the Bundestag for guidance. Florian Lanz, spokesman for the GKV-Spitzenverband, stated that “Whether high earners or privately insured persons should be involved in the solidarity financing of statutory health insurance is a political decision.”

Lanz added that statutory health insurance would implement the political requirements, but the decision rests with the Parliament, as “After all, 90 percent of the population is concerned.” Health experts from the SPD and the Greens have previously advocated for increasing the contribution ceiling and the compulsory insurance limit.

SPD health politician Christos Pantazis told “Bild” newspaper that he supports raising the contribution ceiling to the level of pension insurance, around 2,500 euros, to stabilize statutory health insurance.

Further Proposals and Reactions

Green Health politician Janosch Dahmen supports the proposal. The left -wing parliamentary group in the bundestag proposes an even more notable change, suggesting health insurance contributions on monthly income up to 15,000 euros, considering not only salary.

“The contributions for normal earners have been increasing for years… More money for less performance – that is absurd.”

Ates Gürpinar, the left -wing spokesman for health economics, told “Editorial Network Germany” that “The contributions for normal earners have been increasing for years. at the same time, the new Minister of Health no longer excludes performance cuts. More money for less performance – that is absurd. It is indeed thus necessary that strong shoulders are finally included.”

Gürpinar proposes raising the contribution ceiling to 15,000 euros as a first step, including previously disregarded income sources like rental income and returns. The left also advocates raising the compulsory insurance limit.