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The article examines ways in which unemployment insurance has negatively affected unemployment levels in Germany. Various theories pertaining to unemployment benefits, job search theory and market failure are discussed. The author suggests various steps towards effective reform of the existing unemployment benefit system, including restricting the duration of benefits, transitioning to a lump-sum system of benefits and reducing benefits incrementally over a period of time.

The article discusses the impact on German hospitals' requirements planning and how it is affected by paragraph 17b of the Krankenhausfinanzierungsgesetz (Hospital Finance Law). After giving a historical account of hospital financing and planning, the author proceeds to show how the law's transparency helps determine hospital supply and demand.

The article focuses on social policy in Germany, specifically highlighting the issue of social welfare and family policy with regard to labor market integration. Specific services for children are discussed and special regulations for single parents are outlined. Various ways in which to reduce the need for family welfare services are discussed including monetary incentives and improving the infrastructure of the labor market.

This article discusses the "Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung" (GVK- "Social Insurance") which was reformed in 2000 under the Health Reform law (Gesundheitsreformgesetz). The suggested reforms dealt with the compensation system found in hospitals. The article also discusses the "Diagnosis Related Groups" (DRG), which is the patient classification system, and details the compensation system planned for hospitals based on the DRG categorization.

The article focuses on the decline in general practitioners in Germany. The author points out that more and more patients are choosing to see specialist doctors over their general care provider. He suggests that doctors are opting to specialize in an area of medicine considering the social value and prestige associated with specialists. He discusses the Primärarztmodell in the Netherlands and examines models of integration for general practitioners.

The article discusses risk adjustment involved in the German system of unemployment insurance as it pertains to social welfare benefits. The author examines the two as linked systems and discusses the different criteria of need in unemployment benefit recipients and welfare recipients. The role of case managers, as well as the significance of trade unions is discussed.

The article discusses so-called "versicherungsfremde" benefits in German social security, meaning insurance premiums, rather than taxation, for "alien" services beyond the use or reach of the payee. The author proposes a tax-based strategy for those benefits and their distribution. Finally, he examines potential reforms in the financial structure of the social security system.

The article addresses the discussion about changes to German social policy law relating to the expansion of women's social security rights with respect to the interplay of employment and family. A diminishing birth rate and the concurrent entry of increasing numbers of women into the labor market has meant social structural changes and necessitated change in social benefit and anti-discrimination policies.

The article provides a historical overview and analysis of German government efforts to promote job creation. The impact of the Arbeitsbeschaffungsmassnahmen (ABM) and related legislation is reviewed in detail. German reunification is said to have exacerbated employment problems and led to structural change in job creation efforts.

The article discusses revisions made to German laws governing income exemptions from tax and social security deductions for those receiving public assistance. Various amounts are exempted for base pay of those gainfully employed, for blind and handicapped persons, and for costs of commuting. The exemptions are intended to make welfare less attractive to employable persons by raising net income.

This article presents the debate surrounding the negative income tax in Germany. The two sides of the debate center around a) a "total model," which would be applied to a fully integrated tax-transfer system; and b) a "partial model," which would only be partially incorporated. The goal on both sides of the occupational political debate is to lessen the labor costs for employers.

The article focuses on planned reform efforts for the "Arbeitsförderungsgesetz" (AFRG; Employment Promotion Law) in Germany. In particular, efforts made with regard to employee benefits, vocational training, promoting equal opportunities in the workplace for people with disabilities, and supporting year-round employment in the construction industry are discussed.

The article discusses challenges faced in Germany as a result of unemployment levels and specifically with regard to the structure of unemployment benefits allocation. The author examines reasons for unemployment, focusing on level of education attainment as a criterion. He contends that planned government unemployment benefit reforms will not improve the labor market considering the lack of positions available for those with less education.

The article discusses the intersection of German social welfare and labor market policy as set down in federal statutes. The bridge between the two has come under the banner of the program "Hilfe zur Arbeit" ("Assistance to Employment") with government initiatives to create jobs, particularly for German youth. Details of the program are presented.

The article discusses labor market policy in Germany, focusing on reform models proposed by the "Bundesanstalt für Arbeit" ( Federal Office of Labor). In particular, a development towards circumstantially based unemployment policymaking is noted and the role of institutions in implementing labor market reforms is discussed.

The article discusses women in labor market in Germany, focusing on unemployment levels and discrepancies in policy with regard to job creation and part time employment for women. Labor market development in the Eastern German states as well as employment and hiring trends are analyzed. The inability to fully integrate women in labor market policies is discussed and factors such as need, availability, and contribution level are considered.

The article discusses labor market policy in Germany, specifically focusing on ways in which it is affected by budgetary policy and structural unemployment. Increasing employment levels are a focus, and state consolidation strategies are explored. In addition, changes in the Arbeitsförderungsgesetz (AFG) with regard to unemployment benefits and job placement services are examined.

The article focuses on population development in Germany, specifically discussing the key factors birth, death, and immigration. A population forecast until the year 2050 is outlined and relevant issues such as old age insurance, health policy, family services, and labor market are discussed. Several projections are made in the form of graphs.

The article provides information on the press seminar of the AOK Bundesverband from June 15–16, 2000 in Berlin, Germany. In particular, health policy issues were discussed and speakers included chairman of the AOK administrative council Peter Kirch and his alternate Gert Nachtigall.

The author thanks Eve-Elisabeth Schewe, his predecessor on the editorial staff, for her work and discusses his plans as the new chief editor with regard to the publication. He plans to continue with topical issues on current happenings related to social policy. He hopes to offer a forum for conversation on social policy issues in Germany.

The article announces that as of January 2003, "Sozialer Fortschritt" will have as its chief editor Prof. Dr. Werner Sesselmeier, replacing Prof. Dr. Stefan Sell, who thanks the readership and many authors he has worked with. Dr. Sell expresses the hope that the periodical will retain its independence and continue to fill a role of a social [policy organ between theory and practice. .

The author discusses family policy in Germany, specifically highlighting a focus on introducing an income-based family allowance for each child within a family. He contends that financing this allowance by taking away from unemployment assistance and other programs is unwise. In addition, he discusses the cost of child care and other services for children in Germany.

The article focuses on a decision made by the "Bundesverfassungsgericht" (BVerfG; Federal Constitutional Court) in Karlsruhe, Germany with regard to different taxation levels for pensions. The author expresses frustration that taxation decisions cannot be made on the parliamentary level, but instead must be sent to the BVerfG. He suggests that the court decision favors those with higher than average income levels.

The author focuses on consumer protection in Germany and its role in social policy decisions. He contends that consumerism will play a heightened role in areas such as old age provisions, health policy, educational policy and labor market policy. He believes that consumer protection is not limited to food and agriculture and that consumer risk assessment and risk management are two separate categories.

The author discusses hospital financing reform in Germany based on Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) that places a high level of importance on self-administration. The author argues that hospital services should not be based solely on DRGs, but include other factors such as managed care. He believes that inpatient care in Germany requires further reform.

The author focuses on the government funded old age insurance system in Germany and discusses how demographic changes impact the pension system. In particular, the he addresses the effect of the baby boom generation on pension allocation for future generations. He argues that the system should be stabilized in anticipation of the so-called "age wave."

The author focuses on the so-called Riester pensions, purported in Germany by politician Walter Riester. The Riester pensions, which are part of a larger scheme of reform in Germany are evaluated, and the author discusses the high importance of national pension insurance as part of old age insurance systems.