Movement to Enshrine Right to Health in Germany's Basic Law Gains Momentum

In response to increasing health burdens and financing gaps in Germany’s statutory health insurance system, doctors and politicians are advocating for the explicit inclusion of the right to health in the German constitution (Grundgesetz).

The Betriebskrankenkasse meine Krankenkasse (mkk), together with health expert and former athlete Professor Ingo Froböse, has submitted a petition to the Bundestag calling for an amendment to Article 2, Paragraph 2 of the Basic Law. The proposed change would broaden the definition of health to encompass physical, mental, and spiritual well-being, thereby obligating the state to protect health through prevention, education, and disease avoidance.

Currently, Germany lacks a unified health policy direction, leading to fragmented responsibilities and inefficient allocation of preventive resources. Andrea Galle, mkk board member, emphasized the importance of shifting the focus from merely financing treatment of diseases to preventing prevalent conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and heart diseases. She advocated for state measures including sugar taxes and stricter regulations on harmful products, citing their proven effectiveness elsewhere.

Professor Froböse further highlighted that health is shaped not only through medical care but primarily in everyday environments such as schools and workplaces. He urged for structural changes that promote health from an early age.

The Bundestag’s petition committee is scheduled to review the initiative "Health belongs in the Basic Law" in the coming weeks, after which the proposal will be opened for public signing, potentially marking a significant shift in Germany’s health policy framework.