Criticism of nursing care reform remains despite an agreement between the Union and the SPD

Even after the agreement between the Union and the SPD, criticism of the care reform continues. "3.6 percent general contribution and 4.5 percent for childless people - constitutionally we have already reached a questionable dimension here," said the head of the health insurance company DAK-Gesundheit, Andreas Storm, to the Rheinische Post about the difference between the contribution rates for long-term care insurance. The spread of contributions should not go any further.

The general contribution rate for long-term care insurance is currently 3.6 percent of contributory income and 4.2 percent for those without children. According to the plans, the rate for childless people is to be increased by 0.3 percentage points and will be 4.5 percent in 2027.

After long negotiations, the black-red federal cabinet launched part of the care reform package. This is intended to stabilize the financing of long-term care insurance in a first step, as Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) said. In addition to higher contributions for childless people, the plan is also to increase the contribution assessment limit. In the future, a surcharge of 0.52 points will be charged for spouses who have previously been co-insured without paying contributions.

Linnemann rejects SPD demands

A commission is to develop proposals for a second major structural reform, which is to be implemented by next summer. According to the SPD, this commission should also deal with the important issue of capping personal contributions for nursing home costs. Linnemann, however, said on ZDF that this was not the case. The Health Minister argued that the SPD proposal only saves “perhaps 300 euros” for those affected. He also expressed concern that a cap could lead to higher prices.