Germany's health minister pushes for unity on insurance cost cuts

German Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has called on the coalition to show willingness to compromise in its cost-cutting plans for health insurance providers.

"Of course, the SPD will have reservations about certain points, while the Union faction may take issue with others," Warken told broadcasters RTL and ntv. "But one thing must be clear to everyone: all sides will need to make some concessions." She noted that the coalition had agreed not to immediately rule out individual measures. "In my view, the result must be a comprehensive package that is coherent and balanced—not a cherry-picking exercise favoring select proposals from one side or the other," the CDU politician emphasized.

Warken pledged to present a balanced proposal that would be coordinated within the government. "I am confident that we will bring the coalition factions on board and put forward a solution that both sides can support," she said.

While debates over specific details are inevitable, she stressed, "this isn't about wish lists—it has to be a cohesive package." For the plan to succeed, she added, "everyone will need to reconsider their positions to some extent and be prepared to make compromises."