SPD brings higher health contributions for high earners into discussion

Given the strained financial situation of statutory health insurance, the SPD is discussing raising the contribution assessment ceiling by around €2,500. Christos Pantazis, health policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, told the "Bild" newspaper on Saturday that adjusting the contribution assessment ceiling to roughly the level of the pension insurance system could "contribute to financially relieving the health insurance funds without placing undue burdens on the insured."

By increasing the contribution assessment ceiling, high earners would pay health insurance contributions on a larger proportion of their income, which would result in a higher financial burden – and bring more revenue to the health insurance companies.

Currently, the contribution assessment ceiling for health insurance is €5,512.50, and for pension insurance, €8,050. "For the sustainable stabilization of statutory health insurance finances, we must not impose any restrictions on our thinking," said Pantazis. "We must openly discuss all relevant adjustments. This includes a dynamic adjustment of the federal subsidy as well as a critical review of non-insurance benefits."

The Green Party's health policy spokesperson, Janosch Dahmen, also advocates for an increase. "In addition to comprehensive structural reforms, it is right to gradually raise the contribution assessment ceiling, along with the compulsory insurance limit, to the level of statutory pension insurance," he told the "Bild" newspaper.

The proposal was met with approval by the social welfare association SoVD. "The SoVD has been calling for many years for the compulsory insurance limits to be raised and the contribution assessment ceiling to be adjusted at least to the level of statutory pension insurance," said board chairwoman Michaela Engelmeier to Bild. "That's why we welcome this initiative."