The new German Health Minister Philipp Roesler has taken heavy criticism from the opposition for the proposed appointment of Christian Weber, currently deputy head of the Private Health Insurance Association (PKV), to head a special Health Ministry department dealing with fundamental issues of health insurance.

Roesler, a member of the pro-business Free Democratic Party (FDP), refused to comment on the appointment, and a spokeswoman for his department said, "No statements are made on personnel matters." Elke Ferner, chairwoman of the parliamentary group of the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD), accused Roesler of paving the way for the privatization of healthcare.

Most people in Germany have their health insurance with non-profit public insurers. A relatively small proportion are covered by private insurance companies, which are represented by the PKV.

Fox in a henhouse

Biggi Bender, health spokeswoman for the Green party likened the appointment to "putting the fox in charge of the henhouse," while healthcare policy spokeswoman for the Left party Martina Bunge said, "Now we know what direction Roesler will take - towards healthcare privatization."

Speaking to the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, the SPD's Ferner suggested that the PKV had bought the appointment by contributing to the FDP's election campaign. "It looks like all those campaign donations were worth it," she said.

Roesler is planning to introduce a standard healthcare insurance contribution for all employees, irrespective of their income, with low income earners getting a state contribution. This plan has been criticized by opposition parties, public health insurance companies and trade unions.

bk/dpa/APD
Editor: Michael Lawton