Opposition to Professional Charges or Service Fees

In the heart of the German healthcare debate, a contentious issue has arisen: the possible reintroduction of practice fees, a topic that has sparked strong opposition from various parties.

Sahra Wagenknecht, chairwoman of the Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) party, has been vocal in her opposition to this proposal. She views the reintroduction of practice fees as an affront and a potential revival of the practice fee, dubbed "Practice Fee 2.0." Wagenknecht warns of its potential impact on socially weak individuals, particularly chronically ill patients who may have to pay the fee dozens of times a year.

The Association of Family Doctors shares similar sentiments. Its chairwoman, Nicola Buhlinger-Goepfarth, while acknowledging that not all doctor-patient contacts are necessary, argues against general contact fees. She fears that such fees could financially overwhelm socially weak people.

The German Foundation for Patient Protection, led by Eugen Brysch, also opposes the revival of the practice fee. Brysch points out that the practice fee was abolished in 2012 due to a lack of steering effect on patients.

On the other side of the argument, Steffen Kampeter, the chief executive of the Confederation of German Employers' Associations, supports a patient fee for each doctor's visit. He cites rising additional contributions from health insurance companies as his reason for backing this proposal. According to Kampeter, such a fee could bring about stronger patient steering and limit "doctor-hopping."

The call for a family doctor primary care system has also been raised in this context. The proposal suggests that the family doctor's practice should always be the first point of contact, with further specialists involved if necessary. Sylvia Buhler, a member of the federal executive board of Verdi, raises concerns that contact fees would further exacerbate the social imbalance in medical care.

Wagenknecht also mentions the federal government's historical debt for an arms race as a potential reason for the revival of the practice fee. She fears that the Merz government could potentially find open ears for the employers' proposal.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the practice fee will make a comeback in the German healthcare system or if it will remain a topic of controversy.