Social solidarity and risk solidarity in the German statutory health insurance : support of de-solidarising reform options among members of the statutory health insurance

Abstract

"The German statutory health insurance is considered to be a highly solidaristic insurance scheme. Thus, the 'principle of solidarity' makes health insurance coverage possible, independent of the income (social solidarity) and the health status (risk solidarity) of the insured. Nevertheless, risk solidarity has been reduced by several health reforms and, as current public debates indicate, will be further weakened. This paper explores the attitudes of members of the statutory health insurance towards reform options which would lead to a reduction of social solidarity or of risk solidarity. It is shown that there is strong support for weakening risk solidarity, as long as it is restricted to health risks which can be attributed to health-related behaviour. This finding is best explained by action orientations und the perceived degree of benefit abuse." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Ullrich, C. & Christoph, B. (2006): Soziale und Risikosolidarität in der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung. Zur Akzeptanz von 'Entsolidarisierungsoptionen' bei gesetzlich Versicherten. In: C. Wendt & C. Wolf (Hrsg.) (2006): Soziologie der Gesundheit (Kölner Zeitschrift für Soziologie und Sozialpsychologie. Sonderheft, 46), p. 406-431.