The Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD), a prominent social advocacy group, has intensified calls for increased government funding to bolster both the health and long-term care insurance systems. Citing the challenges posed by demographic shifts and a history of insufficient reform, SoVD President Michaela Engelmeier articulated the urgent need for action in statements to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers.
Engelmeier emphasized the immediate requirement to cover non-insurance related expenses currently financed through taxation, arguing that this is a critical step to stabilize the systems. Beyond short-term financial support, the SoVD advocates for fundamental structural alterations.
Specifically, the organization proposes the establishment of a comprehensive citizen’s health insurance scheme designed to strengthen the financial basis, enhance performance and ensure long-term sustainability. Similarly, a transition towards a citizen-based long-term care insurance system is suggested, offering comprehensive coverage for care needs and distributing costs based on individual capacity for contribution. Prior to this shift, Engelmeier called for limitations on individual contributions within the current long-term care system.
The call for increased resources echoes previous statements from Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU), who has also advocated for greater budgetary allocations to both health and long-term care insurance. Minister Warken has singled out the rising cost of residential care within the long-term care insurance system as a particular area of concern, suggesting action to curb the increases.