Episode 79: Germany’s Public Health Care System

What this episode covers

On this episode of The Zeitgeist, AGI president Jeff Rathke and Dr. Christine Arentz, Professor for Health Economics at the University of Applied Sciences in Cologne, discuss Germany’s public health system since the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the issue of rising demand for long-term care. How has the public discussion on health care changed since the pandemic? Is the German health care system adequately financed to handle pandemic-related health emergencies as well as other emerging public health needs like long-term care? What are some of the major disagreements and key challenges concerning funding social health schemes? How would the proposed changes, such as allowing more opt-outs from public social insurance or reducing co-payments across the board, impact financing and performance of Germany’s health care system? What could be done to improve the country’s capacity in terms of health care personnel and facility for increasing long-term care needs? Host Jeff Rathke, President, AGI Guest Christine Arentz, Professor for Health Economics, TH Köln (University of Applied Sciences, Cologne)