The Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD), a prominent social welfare association, is advocating for increased government funding to bolster both the healthcare and long-term care insurance systems. Michaela Engelmeier, the organization’s chairwoman, highlighted the significant challenges facing the current administration, citing demographic shifts and a lack of comprehensive reform over recent decades.
Engelmeier emphasized the urgent need to finance non-insurance-related services currently supported by taxpayer money. She argued that these costs are placing a strain on the existing system and require immediate intervention.
Beyond increased funding, the SoVD is calling for fundamental structural changes. Specifically, Engelmeier proposed the implementation of a genuine citizen’s health insurance scheme, designed to strengthen the financial foundation, improve service delivery and ensure the long-term viability of the system.
Similarly, the association believes the current long-term care insurance system should evolve into a comprehensive citizen’s insurance model. This would provide complete coverage for long-term care risks, with costs distributed across the community based on individual contribution capacity. Engelmeier further called for a temporary cap on personal contributions, particularly within the long-term care sector, while these reforms are implemented.
The call for increased resources echoes a recent stance taken by Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU), who has consistently championed greater budgetary allocation for healthcare and long-term care. Warken has specifically addressed the rising co-payments associated with residential care within the long-term care insurance system, suggesting a need to halt further increases.