Minister Demands a Billion to Save German Healthcare

Germany’s Healthcare System Is Crying for Help

German Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has officially called on the federal government to allocate over €10 billion to prevent a financial collapse of the country’s mandatory health and long-term care insurance systems.

As reported by dpa, the situation is “dramatic”: contributions are rising, but funds are rapidly depleting despite rate hikes. Warken is urging immediate state intervention to prevent further burden on insured citizens and already overstretched public health insurers.

Why Billions Are Needed — Urgently

The minister insists the government must cover the costs of insuring the unemployed, as current contributions fail to reflect real expenses. According to insurance fund calculations, Berlin underfunds the system by around €10 billion annually.

In addition, Warken is demanding the federal government repay €5 billion in pandemic-era debts, including expenses for COVID tests, protective equipment, and the emergency “support shield” that prevented mass closures of elderly and disability care facilities.

COVID Is Gone — But the Crisis Isn’t

The long-term care sector is under immense pressure. An aging population, rising costs, and the absence of a sustainable financing model have pushed the system to the brink. Warken warned that without swift financial aid, reform efforts will stall, and contributions will inevitably rise — hitting every citizen in the wallet.

It’s worth noting that during coalition talks between the SPD and CDU/CSU, a working group on healthcare proposed compensating costs for unemployment insurance and care. But those proposals were cut from the final agreement.

Less Talk, More Action

Public health insurance funds have already sent out distress signals, warning that Germany is heading toward the biggest crisis in social healthcare since the founding of the Federal Republic.

So far, the Finance Ministry remains conspicuously silent. The question now is whether Warken’s demands will remain buried in bureaucracy — or finally trigger meaningful action.