Current developments in health policy
Hospital reform progresses
The hospital reform recently cleared an important hurdle. On March 21, 2025, the Bundesrat approved a legal ordinance that provides for a transformation fund of up to 50 billion euros over a period of 10 years starting in 2026. Federal Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach emphasized: "With the transformation fund, we are helping the federal states to invest in modern clinic structures"[5].
Reform of access to specialists
Union and SPD plan to restrict direct access to specialists. According to their plans, "primary care physicians" will be the first point of contact for patients in the future. The German Medical Association supports this proposal and suggests that patients who still wish to go directly to a specialist should pay an additional fee[7].
Health Care Strengthening Act comes into force
On February 14, 2025, the Bundesrat passed the Health Care Strengthening Act (GVSG). This law abolishes the budgets for general practitioners, which, according to Lauterbach, will make it "easier to get appointments"[6].
Electronic patient record and digitalization
Since January 15, 2025, the electronic patient record (ePA) has been introduced for all statutory health insurance members. Health insurance companies will automatically create them unless members explicitly object. After a pilot phase in three model regions, the nationwide rollout will follow with mandatory use for all medical facilities[1][2].
Long-term care insurance and benefit increases
As of January 1, 2025, all benefit amounts for long-term care insurance, including inpatient care, were increased by 4.5 percent. This adjustment has a total volume of 1.8 billion euros and provides relief for both those in need of care and social welfare providers. At the same time, the contribution rate for social long-term care insurance was increased by 0.2 percentage points to 3.6 percent[1][2].
Assisted telemedicine in pharmacies
By March 31, 2025, the GKV-Spitzenverband and the pharmacists are to agree on legal frameworks and remuneration regulations for conducting doctor's video consultations in pharmacies. After that, implementation can begin, allowing pharmacists to advise their patients on the use of outpatient telemedicine services and assist with "simple medical routine tasks" during a video consultation[1][2].
Sources:
[1] Health policy: What's changing in 2025 https://www.apotheke-adhoc.de/nachrichten/detail/politik/gesundheitspolitik-das-aendert-sich-2025/
[2] What's changing in health and care in 2025 https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/das-aendert-sich-2025-in-gesundheit-und-pflege.html
[3] Health policy – current news | tagesschau.de https://www.tagesschau.de/thema/gesundheitspolitik
[4] Confident despite huge tasks in health policy https://www.merkur.de/lokales/ebersberg/markt-schwaben-ort29035/zuversicht-trotz-riesiger-aufgaben-im-gesundheitswesen-93658256.html
[5] Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
[6] Current announcements | BMG – Federal Ministry of Health https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/ministerium/meldungen.html
[7] Health policy – Current news and commentary – RND https://www.rnd.de/themen/gesundheitspolitik/
[8] Population council wants health law https://www.zentralplus.ch/news/bevoelkerungsrat-will-gesundheitsgesetz-2756535/
[9] DPA news from Healthcare – Krankenkassen.de https://www.krankenkassen.de/dpa/
[10] Current news from FAZ on health policy https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/thema/gesundheitspolitik
[11] Topic: Health policy – SZ.de https://www.sueddeutsche.de/thema/Gesundheitspolitik
[12] Health – Medical news, current information on illness & research https://www.welt.de/gesundheit/
[13] Authority for Health and Consumer Protection – Wikipedia https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beh%C3%B6rde_f%C3%BCr_Gesundheit_und_Verbraucherschutz
[14] Health system – current news | tagesschau.de https://www.tagesschau.de/thema/gesundheitssystem
