Insurance savings "strengthen system":
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
German health minister Ulla Schmidt said that the Euro4bn ($4.7bn) surplus achieved by the statutory sickness finds last year was a tribute to the system's new efficiency since the health reform of early 2004. The associated savings of Euro9-10bn also meant that decision-makers could build more quality into the system. Additionally, it meant that average public contributions to the funds did not have to increase. They are currently at 14.2%. Ms Schmidt had earlier talked of a rise to some 15%.