Lauterbach against higher deductibles in health insurance

ZThe economist Bernd Raffelhüschen advocates for the financing of the health care system that those with statutory health insurance pay up to 2000 euros a year as a deductible.

“We can no longer afford the system,” said the Freiburg economics professor of the “Bild” newspaper. “In the future, patients will have to pay more out of their own pockets.” Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD), however, gave the initiative a clear rejection. “These proposals would be affordable for university professors like Mr. Raffelhüschen or me,” Lauterbach tweeted. “For the vast majority of the population, that’s not possible.”

The economist Raffelhüschen, who, in addition to his academic work at the University of Freiburg, previously sat on the supervisory board of the insurance group Ergo, wants a staggered deductible with state social compensation. Raffelhüschen warned that unless countermeasures are taken, the contribution rate will increase to up to 22 percent of gross wages by 2035. At the moment it is – including the additional contribution – an average of just under 16 percent.

According to the economist’s plans, patients should in future receive an invoice after visiting the doctor and pass it on to the health insurance company, “which then assumes a large part of the costs”. There should be several levels for patient participation, which are capped at “a total of 1,500 or 2,000 euros per year”. At the same time, social equalization is planned. “The subsidies, for example for low earners, must come from the federal budget.”

In Germany, around 73 million insured persons are cared for by one of the 96 health insurance companies – this corresponds to around 90 percent of the population. For the current year, a deficit of 17 billion euros is expected in statutory health insurance – according to Lauterbach, this is a historic proportion. Raffelhüschen’s plans are still not an option for the minister: “The proposal will not come.”