German Chancellor Frei advocates for increased accountability within the country's healthcare sector
In a series of statements, Thorsten Frei, the Chancellor's Office Minister and a member of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, has highlighted the need for reform in Germany's healthcare system.
Frei emphasised the importance of the primary care physician principle, where patients should first consult a family doctor, as it is anchored in the coalition agreement. He also underlined the need for precision and efficiency in the German healthcare system.
Frei's statements, reported by the "Rheinische Post" in its Monday edition, came amidst concerns about the high costs and inefficiencies in the system. He pointed out that Germany has one of the most expensive healthcare systems in Europe and that sick days in the country are twice as high as in France.
The minister also mentioned that healthcare services in Germany are financed through contributions, but he noted that this does not mean they are almost free. He highlighted that annual spending on health in Germany is approximately 500 billion euros, with performance expenditures for statutory health insurance expected to reach around 330 billion euros by 2024.
Frei suggested that relying more on self-responsibility is necessary in health insurance. He argued that if patients could directly choose their specialists, it would be too expensive and inefficient. Instead, he proposed implementing the primary care physician principle as a first step in healthcare reform.
The Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken, appointed by the Scholz Cabinet, is responsible for improving the efficiency and precision of the German healthcare system. She has already launched the "FinanzKommission Gesundheit," a commission tasked with proposing measures by March 2026 to sustainably stabilize statutory health insurance contribution rates starting from 2027.
Frei also pointed out that Germany has a high number of hospital beds compared to other European countries, implying potential room for optimisation. He stressed the need for more efficiency in the system to ensure its sustainability in the long run.
With these statements, Thorsten Frei has set the stage for potential reforms in the German healthcare system, focusing on the importance of primary care, self-responsibility, and efficiency. As the debate on healthcare reform continues, Frei's proposals could play a significant role in shaping the future of healthcare in Germany.
