[Growing market of health services. Starting points for a modern healthcare system]

Abstract

As is the case in other areas of social security services, the German system of statutory health insurance has been battling aggravated financing problems since the mid-1990s. Public discussion in systems similar to Germany that are financed by contributions is mainly typified by the concepts of cost explosion and stability of premium rates. The German healthcare system faces the problem of finding an appropriate control strategy that makes it possible on the one hand to master the exogenous challenges posed by demography, especially advances in medical technology, and on the other hand to ensure that the chances inherent in the "growing market of health services" are not unduly regulated. Against the background of ongoing unemployment, it cannot be considered a long-term solution to continue in regulating a potential employment market with cost-cutting measures or even to favor a healthcare system financed by taxes.