Germany Signals Major Health System Overhaul as Minister Warken Warns of Growing Deficits | iPharmaCenter

Germany’s Federal Health Minister Nina Warken has signaled significant reforms to the country’s healthcare system, stressing that structural changes are unavoidable as statutory health insurance (GKV) faces mounting financial pressure.

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In an interview published by the Federal Ministry of Health, Warken confirmed that the government has closed a €2 billion funding gap for 2025, stabilizing the average additional contribution rate at around 2.9%. She cautioned, however, that this is only a temporary fix, with the G-KV system expected to slide into a multi-billion-euro deficit by 2027 without deeper reform.

Warken reiterated that access to medical care must not depend on a patient’s financial status, rejecting any move toward a two-tier system. At the same time, she said “all revenue and expenditure items” are under review, including the long-standing policy of free co-insurance for non-working spouses, as the government evaluates ways to strengthen financial stability.

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The minister also outlined priorities for improving patient access and care coordination. Planned measures include stronger primary-care steering, faster specialist appointments, expanded digital triage through the 116117 service, and the development of new cross-sector care centres that integrate outpatient, inpatient and nursing services.

Warken confirmed that a reform commission will present comprehensive proposals in spring 2026. These recommendations are expected to form the basis of the most significant overhaul of Germany’s health system in years.

“Solidarity remains the foundation of our system,” she said, “but we must ensure it remains sustainable for the future.”