German Parliament Passes Major Reforms to Strengthen Primary Healthcare

The new law removes payment caps for general practitioners, introduces new compensation models, and expands access to critical health services.

The Bundestag has approved a healthcare reform law aimed at improving access to general practitioners, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas.
The reform eliminates budget caps for GPs, ensuring all services provided are fully compensated, which is expected to increase costs for statutory health insurers by hundreds of millions annually.
New compensation models include a 'care package' for patients with chronic illnesses and a 'reserve package' for practices offering services like home visits or extended hours.
The law also simplifies access to mental health services, improves availability of medical aids for people with disabilities, and removes the age limit for accessing emergency contraception for victims of sexual violence.
While praised by medical professionals, the reform has drawn criticism from health insurance providers over its financial implications for contributors.