“The 66 recommendations presented on Monday were designed not only to close that gap, but to make even more savings. The 10-member commission, which included experts from the fields of economics, medicine and social law, was specifically charged with coming up with too many recommendations as the government is unlikely to be able to implement all of them, if only for political reasons.”

“Federal Health Minister Nina Warken of the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU) said at the press conference. 'It's important for me to emphasize that there will be no one-sided reforms that will burden the insured. We will not shake the cornerstones of a health care system based on solidarity.'”

“A new tax on sugary drinks. Commission member Ferdinand Gerlach, director of the Institute for General Practice and a doctor himself, said experience in other countries had shown that when sugar taxes are introduced, manufacturers tend to reduce the sugar content of their products voluntarily.”

“A new measure requiring plannable operations — such as knee replacements — to only be carried out once the patient has received an independent second opinion from another doctor who has no economic stake in the decision. Germany carries out more such operations than many other EU countries.”

“Patients pay more contributions for prescribed drugs. At the moment, health insurers pay for most prescription drugs.”