AI-generated summary
Nursing care insurance in Germany finances services for those in need of care and is under financial pressure due to demographic change and increasing numbers of those in need of care. The budget for the current year already earmarked 3.2 billion euros in federal loans.
The Federal Ministry of Finance wants to provide up to 700 million euros in additional loans in the short term to cover financing gaps in long-term care insurance. The care insurance funds' expenditure on benefits has increased more than originally expected "due to the continued significant growth in the number of people in need of care," the dpa news agency quotes from a letter from the department to the budget committee.
This year's budget already earmarked 3.2 billion euros in federal loans for long-term care insurance. According to the letter, these are not enough.
The Ministry of Health had even applied for 870 million euros. However, Lars Klingbeil's (SPD) Ministry of Finance considers 700 million euros to be sufficient "to cover the currently estimated shortfall for November" and also to be prepared if, contrary to what is currently forecast by the Federal Office for Social Security, there is a lack of money in October.
The financial woes of long-term care insurance had recently worsened. In the first half of the year, there was a deficit of 770 million euros, as the umbrella association of statutory health insurance companies, which also represents the nursing care funds, announced at the end of August. It is expected that in October the income would no longer be enough to fully finance the care services.
This article will continue to be updated.
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Long-term care insurance will probably need further financial support from the federal budget if the current development of those in need of care continues.
Likely · Within months

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