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15th electoral term
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Work and functions of the Committee on Health and Social Security

The sphere of activity of the Committee on Health and Social Security covers basically the same areas as that of the Federal Ministry for Health and Social Security.

This means that the Committee on Health and Social Security, in accordance with the organisational structure of the Federal Ministry for Health and Social Security, operates mainly in the following areas:

The Committee on Health and Social Security is made up of 40 Members of the Bundestag, 17 of whom are from the SPD, 16 from the CDU/CSU, 4 from the Alliance 90/Greens and 3 from the FDP parliamentary groups.
The Chair is Klaus Kirschner (SPD); Deputy Chair is Wolfgang Zöller (CDU/CSU). Spokespersons are Erika Lotz for the SPD, Annette Widmann-Mauz and Andreas Storm for the CDU/CSU, Birgitt Bender and Markus Kurth for the Alliance 90/Greens and Dr. Heinrich Kolb and Dr. Dieter Thomae for the FDP.

In the subject areas mentioned above, the committee deliberates a large number of draft laws and motions each year. In this connection, it regularly holds public hearings and meetings of experts, in order to obtain the most comprehensive and independent picture possible of the subject under review. The parliamentary groups propose experts from all social groups concerned who are then invited to attend these meetings. In some cases, experts are invited from other countries, so that the benefit of their expertise and experience can be incorporated in the parliamentary decision-making process.

The Committee on Health and Social Security also receives information from the Federal Government on developments in health policy as well as on social insurance legislation and procedures and other current issues. Although health care and social security are basically subject to national legislation, a constantly increasing number of EU items are also referred to the committee for deliberation. Often, these are European directives that must be implemented in German law.

During the 14th electoral term, the Health Committee passed the Act on the Reform of the Statutory Health Insurance from the Year 2000 which came into force in January 2000. During the 15th electoral term, the deliberation and implementation of a further fundamental reform of the statutory health insurance system are the focus of its activities.

In addition, the committee will deliberate adjustments of statutory pensions insurance schemes and in particular the supplementary private pension schemes and long-term care insurance. In all three areas, the aim is to reform social security systems in the light of demographic change in such a way that they continue to ensure a high level of protection and care and, at the same time, remain financially feasible in the long term.

Quelle: http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/orga/03organs/04commit/02commper/comm13
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