Germany’s Lower House of Parliament Passes Healthcare Reform
The bill aims to save €16.3 billion and raises prescription co-payments, while protests from health care staff have already begun.
- On Friday, the Bundestag passed a healthcare reform package aimed at saving €16.3 billion to reduce financial burdens on companies. The bill now advances to the Bundesrat, Germany's upper house representing the 16 federal states.
- Chancellor Friedrich Merz championed the cost-cutting measures as essential to reviving Germany's economy by reducing financial and bureaucratic burdens on companies, building on a government package announced last week.
- The legislation increases medication co-payments to €15 and restricts spousal insurance coverage. Alexandra Bishop, AstraZeneca president for Germany, warned the law "penalises innovation" and puts investments at risk.
- Protests against the measures have already occurred across Germany, with health care staff expressing concerns. Failure to win a Bundesrat majority could send the bill to a mediation committee.
- Further protests are expected in the coming weeks as the government prepares implementation. The new measures will officially apply starting with the 2027 budget, affecting doctors, hospitals, and pharmacies.
31 Articles
31 Articles
From 2027 onwards, insured persons, doctors and clinics have to expect financial losses. It is not a reform, rather a saving law.
Germany's upper house of parliament approves healthcare reform to rein in costs
Germany's upper house of parliament on Friday approved a healthcare bill aimed at reining in health insurance costs, completing its passage through parliament despite fierce opposition from drugmakers... -July 10, 2026 at 10:10 am EDT MarketScreener
The German Bundestag, with the votes of the coalition from the Union and SPD, decided on the controversial reform of the statutory health insurance. In the roll-call vote 319 parliamentarians voted against with yes. 286, there were four abstentions. Previously there had been a heated debate in parliament.
osthessen-news.de
After long struggles, the coalition brings billions savings in health expenditures through parliament, which are intended to prevent higher contributions.The law still has to take a final hurdle.The Bundestag has decided on the controversial austerity package of the black-red coalition for stable health insurance contributions. 319 MPs voted for the law, there were 286 votes against and four abstentions.The package provides for billions of billi…
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