(de-news.net) – In light of the multi-billion deficit in statutory health insurance, the health insurance funds has urged the Union and SPD to agree on drastic measures to stabilize finances during their coalition negotiations. Doris Pfeiffer, head of the health insurance association, emphasized the need for a spending moratorium to prevent expenditures from rising faster than revenues. The moratorium should remain in place until structural reforms balance income and expenses. Pfeiffer argued that there should be no price or fee increases beyond current revenues, allowing time for necessary structural reforms.

According to Pfeiffer, the health insurance funds’ deficit amounted to 6.2 billion euros last year, 700 million euros higher than previously expected. Pfeiffer stressed the urgency of addressing the unbroken expenditure dynamics. At the beginning of the year, statutory health insurance funds had to raise their contribution rates significantly, reaching an all-time high of 17.5 percent.

Pfeiffer warned that without immediate political action, the contribution spiral would continue, leading to further increases in health insurance contributions for millions of insured individuals and their employers by early 2026. She criticized the past decade’s health policy, which benefited hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and doctors, while burdening contributors.