Professor Iris Kesternich guest on ZDF WISOFocus on health insurance reform: Professor Iris Kesternich discusses the topic on ZDF

28 April 2026, by Hannes Rathjen

The German statutory health insurance system (GKV) is under financial pressure. On the ZDF program "WISO," Prof. Dr. Iris Kesternich (HCHE/University of Hamburg) analyzed the current situation and discussed necessary reforms. Specifically, the discussion focused on the the demands of the FinanzKommission Gesundheit, convened by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken, to abolish free co-insurance for childless spouses, to finance healthcare costs for recipients of basic income support from tax revenue, and also to raise concerns about a two-tier healthcare system. The main goal of the reform is to align healthcare spending with revenue.

Find the full episode from 27 April 2026 on ZDF.