Economist Raffelhüschen calls for a deductible of up to 2,000 euros for patients with health insurance

To finance the expensive healthcare system, economist Bernd Raffelhüschen proposes that those with statutory health insurance pay a deductible of up to EUR 2,000 per year. “We can no longer afford the system. In the future, patients will have to pay more out of their own pockets," said the professor at the University of Freiburg of the "Bild" newspaper. But there must be a social balance for this.

"The subsidies, for example for low earners, must come from the federal budget." Raffelhüschen also advocated that insured persons should pay for injuries after self-chosen risks - such as skiing - in full themselves. "Smokers must also contribute more to the follow-up costs of treatments themselves," he demanded.

Otherwise, unless countermeasures are taken, the contribution rate will rise to up to 22 percent of gross wages by 2035, the economist warned. It is currently – including the additional contribution – an average of just under 16 percent, depending on the health insurance company.

A deficit of 17 billion euros is expected in statutory health insurance for 2023 - according to Health Minister Karl Lauterbach, this is a historic proportion. In Germany, around 73 million insured persons are cared for by one of the 96 statutory health insurance companies - this corresponds to around 90 percent of the population.

According to Raffelhüschen's plans, patients should in future receive an invoice after visiting the doctor and pass it on to the health insurance company, "which then assumes a large part of the costs". There should be several levels for patient participation. It should be capped at “a total of 1,500 or 2,000 euros per year,” said Raffelhüschen.

The 65-year-old is a renowned economist and university lecturer. Since 1995 he has been a professor of finance at the Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg. In addition to his scientific work, he is a member of various supervisory boards and appears to the public, among other things, as a lobbyist for the New Social Market Economy Initiative (INSM) and as a political advisor.