The impact of health reform on the medical expenditure of the statutory health insurance funds Berlin (AP) — are controversial. The Federal Ministry of health and the National Association of Betriebskrankenkassen (BKK) rejected a report of the «image» newspaper on Monday in Berlin. Relying on «Fund circles» sheet reported ten percent increases in the coming year. However, BKK spokesman Florian Lanz of the dpa said: “A double-digit growth is extremely unlikely at present. According to «Image», «Cash circuits» with increases in the coming year are expected because the producers for the first time again are likely to raise prices since 2003 and no discounts would have to grant the funds more. As a result, the scope of the funds for rate cuts falling. The spokesman for the Federal Health Ministry rejected this representation. The health insurance companies would have recorded an output decline to 12 percent by the health care reform until late August. For the coming year the arrangements provided for in the reform for rational use of drug regulations and controls in the «image» representation had not been considered. So doctors and health insurance companies would have to agree about end of November on «Indicative» the drug prescribing. The spokesman for the Betriebskrankenkassen said that 2005 will «the relieving effect of health care reform be felt “. In 2005, the drug spending would be below the level of 2003. According to a survey of the ZDF-Magazin «WISO» about one-fourth of the 201 nationwide active health will decrease soon contributions. Approximately 21 million policyholders from 59 funds would pay lower contributions to no later than 1 January 2005. This was due to surpluses by the health care reform. 52 Funds wanted to not reduce contributions despite partly three-digit million surplus. The remaining 90 coffers were waiting with a decision in particular, whether the contribution to the denture in future completely alone by the insured or not payable. The most funds had not published yet the amount of the contribution reductions with respect to any outstanding decisions of regulatory bodies, it was said.