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Gesundheitspolitik – Grundrisse einer nachhaltigen und gerechten Finanzierung der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung / Health policy – outline for a sustainable and fair financing of Germany’s statutory health insurance

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  • Postler Andreas

Abstract

The statutory health insurance in Germany is financed on a pay-as-you-go basis with income-based premiums. It is argued that this system is neither sustainable nor intergenerational fair. Quite the contrary, it reduces the investment in human capital and constitutes a large burden for the next generation. As intergenerational redistribution is overdrawn a new balance between solidarity and equivalence has to be found. It is shown that a mixture of flat premiums and capital funding in the form of ageing reserves can reduce the occurring problems and increases sustainability and intergenerational fairness in Germany’s statutory health insurance. To cope with the problem of intragenerational redistribution an inverse relationship between human capital investment and ageing reserve contributions is proposed.

Suggested Citation

  • Postler Andreas, 2010. "Gesundheitspolitik – Grundrisse einer nachhaltigen und gerechten Finanzierung der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung / Health policy – outline for a sustainable and fair financing of Germany’s statutory," ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, De Gruyter, vol. 61(1), pages 267-286, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:ordojb:v:61:y:2010:i:1:p:267-286:n:16
    DOI: 10.1515/ordo-2010-0116
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    References listed on IDEAS

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