Ahead of the inaugural meeting of a federal-state working group tasked with formulating key points for a comprehensive reform of long-term care, Federal Minister of Health Nina Warneke (CDU) has outlined specific assignments.
In statements to the Funke media group, Minister Warneke announced the government’s intention to “put long-term care insurance on a path of recovery”. She stated that the working group would aim to develop a plan by the end of the year to ensure the affordability and financial stability of long-term care. Legislation is then expected to follow shortly after the new year. The Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) will lead the coordination efforts within the federal government for this commission.
Acknowledging the constrained financial situation of long-term care insurance, the Minister indicated that new benefits would not be feasible. However, she emphasized the need to find ways to maintain affordable home care, facilitate private individual financial planning for care needs and expand access to outpatient care. “Long-term care insurance will remain a supplementary insurance” Minister Warneke explained, deeming any further promises unrealistic.
Despite current challenges, Minister Warneke views the long-term care insurance system as a success story spanning thirty years, assuring citizens of reliable support in the event of needing care. She asserted that the working group has no room for excuses and must deliver tangible results.
Initial key areas for examination by the commission were already outlined in the coalition agreement. However, the assigned tasks for the “Future Pact for Long-term Care” extend beyond these initial parameters, according to the draft resolution and the working assignments.
Recent data reveals a significant shift in the financial ratio of the long-term care insurance. Currently, only eleven contributors support one beneficiary, a stark contrast to the 1:29 ratio observed in 1998. Consequently, the burden on each contributing individual has reportedly tripled, according to the BMG. The long-term care insurance deficit for 2024 is estimated at approximately 1.5 billion euros. The federal government’s budget proposal includes loans of 500 million euros for the current year and 1.5 billion euros for the following year to stabilize the financial situation.
The “Future Pact for Long-term Care” involves not only the Federal Ministry of Health but also the relevant ministries and senatorial administrations of the federal states responsible for long-term care insurance. Communes are also participating in the meetings through their national associations (German Association of Towns and Municipalities, German State Towns Association, Association of Cities and Municipalities). Furthermore, several other federal ministries, including those for Labour and Social Affairs, Education, Families, Seniors, Women, Youth, Economic Affairs and Energy, Finance and the Federal Chancellery, are involved. The first meeting of the federal-state working group is scheduled for the upcoming Monday.