A change of mind: The German Green Party is now against the reimbursement of homeopathy

It is a long time ago; I guess some 25 years. I had received an invitation by the German Green Party to give a lecture in Hannover on so-called alternative medicine (SCAM). As I wanted to re-visit Hannover (I had lived there for 2 happy years), I accepted. Little had I foreseen that the Greens were fans of homeopathy. Thus, they were irritated by me stating that homeopathy was far from evidence-based and could even quite dangerous under certain circumstances. Needless to say, that I never again received an invitation from the Greens!

Ever since, the German Greens have stuck to their conviction that homeopathy is the best thing since sliced bread. But, as I have stated countless times: the evidence will always prevail. No matter how strong the belief, in healthcare, science is stronger; it might take a long time, but the evidence will win the argument.

As it turns out, I was not far off! Here is the news that was recently reported in the ‘Bild Zeitung’ (my translation):

After years of wrangling, everything suddenly happened very quickly: at the Green Party conference in Hanover, delegates cleared up a highly controversial issue. In future, statutory health insurance funds will no longer pay for homeopathic treatments. A turning point for the environmental and eco-friendly party!

This was preceded by a brief, factual discussion late on Friday evening. Many Greens had previously been almost ashamed that the issue was even up for discussion – the debate had been so heated and the fronts so entrenched. In addition, the general consensus was that it was time to ‘look ahead’ – a renewed debate about globules, Bach flowers and mother tinctures seemed long outdated to many.

Now, Berlin pharmacist Cedrik Schamberger (Tempelhof-Schöneberg district association) has prevailed. “The solidarity community should not pay for therapies whose effectiveness beyond the placebo effect has not been scientifically proven,” stated the motion initiated by Schamberger. Furthermore, reimbursement by health insurance companies suggests that homeopathic remedies are effective; this “misleading of patients” must be stopped. Schamberger: “A policy based on superstition is neither fair nor sustainable.”

Not everyone was willing to accept this. Homeopathic services would cost health insurance companies “only” 22 million euros per year (as of 2021), argued former Bundestag member and current federal treasurer Manuela Rottmann (53). She called for a discussion of the “real” problems instead.

The majority of party conference participants saw things differently. The fact that homeopathy is paid for, but contraceptives are not, is a “real” problem, another delegate called out in the hall.

The current decision could only backfire on one person: Cem Özdemir (59), who wants to become Minister President of Baden-Württemberg. The state is home to several large companies that specialize in homeopathy. However, the Swabian has so far done well to distance himself from his party’s course (combustion engines out, migration policy) – so he would just have to continue as before.

No, I do not think that it was my lecture of ~25 years ago that did the trick. As already mentioned, I am convinced that, in healthcare, evidence will prevail.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER!