Reform of the German health care service: people's insurance or per capita premiums?

While the Rürup Commission was in the final phase of its work on the future of the German social insurance systems, especially health insurance, the Akademie für Politische Bildung in Tutzing and the Ifo Institute held a three-day conference at the end of March on reform options for German health care. The presentations of health experts from politics and economics as well as federation representatives illuminated the diverse aspects of the problem and stimulated lively discussions. A central and especially controversially question was whether the reforms should go in the direction of a people's insurance or strive for per capita contributions. The relevant positions were presented by Karl Lauterbach and a representative of the Council of German Economic Experts. As was evident shortly thereafter, the Rürup Commission was also unable to reach agreement on this issue. The most important arguments for and against are presented in this article.