Green Party Criticizes Germany's Health Reforms Amid Rising Mental Health Concerns

The Green Party in Germany has sharply criticized the ruling coalition for the lack of progress in crucial health and social welfare reforms, labeling the current period a "Winter of Disappointment." According to Green leaders Katharina Dröge and Britta Haßelmann, rising costs and contributions in statutory health insurance (GKV) have not improved care quality, with patient waiting times increasing. They called for sustainable financing and urgent reforms in healthcare, nursing, and emergency services, estimating potential annual savings of up to five billion euros through restructuring emergency care alone. The party also highlighted concerns over rising medication prices and urged adherence to expert recommendations for pharmaceutical supply improvements.

Federal Health Minister Nina Warken anticipates preliminary findings from the GKV financing commission by the end of March, amid calls for reduced coalition conflicts on social reforms from CDU leader Friedrich Merz. This criticism emerges alongside growing mental health challenges in Germany, particularly among youth and younger adults.

On February 18, 2026, the Mental Health Alliance was launched to address increasing mental health issues among children and adolescents. Led by Prof. Dr. Silvia Schneider of Ruhr University, the alliance brings together experts from science, healthcare, politics, and youth organizations, emphasizing prevention and early intervention. Schneider advocates moving from a disease-centered to a health-focused approach, integrating scientific insights into families, schools, and daycare centers. The initiative enjoys support from major foundations, including the Bertelsmann Stiftung and Robert Bosch Stiftung.

Further highlighting mental health strains, a recent NAKO Health Study involving around 80,000 adults revealed a significant rise in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly affecting women and adults under 40. Depression rates increased from 5.9% pre-pandemic to 9.7% by late 2022, anxiety from 3.9% to 6.2%, and stress levels from 4.1% to 10.2%. Prof. Dr. Annette Peters of Helmholtz Munich emphasized that these mental health burdens are long-lasting, necessitating ongoing low-threshold support to mitigate long-term effects.

As health care reform debates continue, these findings underline the pressing need for effective mental health strategies and sustainable financing to improve Germany's healthcare system overall.