PRESS RELEASE Vote for social causes instead of throwing your vote away!

Frankfurt am Main – The IG Metall union is warning insured individuals not to let themselves be guided solely by the names on the ballots during the social elections: “Beware of con artists and opportunists: Just because an electoral slate of individuals adorns itself with the name of a health insurance provider, for example, doesn’t mean there’s a reliable social policy for the insured behind it,” says Hans-Jürgen Urban, executive board member of IG Metall. Most of these groups are barely visible in terms of social policy and societal engagement. “Those who vote wisely in the social elections choose union partners with concrete plans, expertise, and political influence.”

The social elections play a key role in ensuring that employees and retirees can expect good and fair benefits from their insurance providers. Hans-Jürgen Urban: “There’s a lot at stake; in health insurance alone, the self-governing bodies decide on over 300 billion euros. We want to use these funds for social purposes—in the best interests of the insured.”

One concrete success for the unions was securing the reinstatement of equal funding for the supplementary premium among health insurers, thereby halving the cost for those affected. Urban: “With our experience in social insurance, we successfully influence policy.”

IG Metall advocates for comprehensive and high-quality coverage in the event of illness, occupational disability, old age, and the need for long-term care. Urban: “We reject health insurance policies that use bargain-hunting advertising to attract only a specific clientele. What matters most are good benefits for everyone.” The social parliaments decide on additional benefits from health insurance plans, the quality of rehabilitation services, bonus programs, optional coverage plans, and new preventive health screenings.

The union also sees an important role in the insurance companies’ appeals committees: “This is often where people’s livelihoods are at stake. There, we advocate for people with all our strength and experience from the workplace,” said Urban. At the same time, IG Metall draws on the experience gained in the social parliaments to advance its social policy demands toward policymakers. Urban: “Our goal is good health and a good pension for everyone. This is only possible with established social policy forces at all levels.”

Further information and press photos of Dr. Hans-Jürgen Urban