Berlin (ddp). The proposed uniform contribution rate to statutory health insurance (GKV) is getting closer. The Federal Cabinet approved the agreement of the Committee of the Coalition on Sunday, assess the contribution rate to 15.5 per cent, as reported by the Ministry of health on Tuesday. Most of all insured persons, this means an increase in its contribution, only a few funds are currently more than 15.5 percent.

Health Minister Ulla Schmidt (SPD) called in Berlin the uniform contribution rate «fair and simple». Medical progress and better funding of hospitals and higher fees for established doctors cost money. Many insured paid also today high posts, because their coffers insured many older and sick people. The same of the health fund in the future. This will start on 1 January 2009.

The health insurance companies had asked for a set of 15.8 percent. Schmidt held contrary to the cashier’s desk, they would have “at the expense of the insured a piggy» want to create. «The coffers shun responsibility, sparingly to deal with their revenue,» the Minister said the «Image» – newspaper. 2009, there is not a reason for an austerity, for additional contributions in a big way. Schmidt stressed that the funds could spend ten billion euros more in the coming year and are thus also solidly financed over the next year. The contribution rate would remain stable in 2010.

Also the NAV-Virchow-Bund of established doctors stressed that ten billion more would have to for a «ordinary care first sufficient». «The whining of the coffers for more money takes place at a dubious level», of the Organization of Klaus Bittmann noted.

The Parliament now has three weeks to comment. He can change nothing to the amount of the contribution but. On 29 October to the contribution rate definitively by the Cabinet decided and announced.