The growing surpluses in the health system should be reduced by a reduction in the contribution rate. This was demanded yesterday in Berlin, by the German Society for Health Economics (DGGÖ). „In ‚pay as you go‘ social systems, it is not the intention to create a financial cushion for bad times,“ said Friedrich Beyer, CEO of DGGÖ. (Quote translated by kon.media)
The DGGÖ – against the background of some 17 billion euros cash surpluses – is calling for an annual adjustment of the contribution rate. The amount should be based on estimates of the district’s fiscal needs. The contribution rate should be chosen so that it does not fully cover the financial requirements. This is a prerequisite to ensure that the majority of the funds would have to charge an additional fee. This promotes competition in the sickness funds landscape and could lead to greater efficiency. Regular revision of the contribution rate helps to keep additional contributions relatively constant, according to the DGGÖ.
Moreover, there have been recent calls for higher remuneration for particular service providers, such as by Birgit Fischer (VFA), who calls for the elimination of pharmaceutical rebate for the GKV, which in itself could be a problem in the future.
As part of a reduction in the contribution rate, DGGÖ highlights the fact that it could relieve the employer and employee financially, which can lead to more jobs and a higher consumption.
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