The President of the German Medical Association, Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, is calling on the federal government to immediately start the full refinancing of non-insurance benefits from federal funds. As a first step, he calls for an additional tax subsidy to the health fund of at least three billion euros, which must be consistently expanded in the following years.

Reinhardt criticized the fact that Federal Finance Minister Klingbeil has so far shown no willingness to burden the main burden of the planned GKV austerity package not solely on health care workers, insured persons and patients. The stabilization of health insurance finances is a feat of strength for society as a whole, in which the federal government must not duck away.

The Finance Commission for Health, which was appointed by the Federal Government, has expressly recommended the full financing of non-insurance services via the federal budget. According to its calculations, the annual requirement is around 12.5 billion euros. This gap must not be closed by benefit cuts or by additional burdens for insured persons, patients or health care workers.

Reinhardt also spoke out in favour of following the Commission’s proposals to increase taxes on harmful stimulants such as spirits, tobacco and sugary drinks. The revenue generated from this should specifically benefit the health care system. So far, the federal government is only planning a moderate increase in tobacco tax in order to finance a tax-free relief bonus for employees. A consistent overall strategy is therefore not recognizable.

Higher prices for such stimulants would have a preventive effect in addition to the financing effect. They could reduce consumption and raise the barriers to entry, especially for children and young people. In the long term, real progress in this area would not only strengthen public health, but also relieve the economy of billions of euros.

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Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

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