NRW Health Minister Karl‑Josef Laumann (CDU) says the social nursing‑care insurance is a successful model but insists that a fundamental change of the system is urgently needed. “It can’t stay as it is now” he told the “Rheinische Post” on Friday.
“Re‑examining the nursing‑grade system”
Laumann plans to tighten the assessment of the five nursing grades but will keep the grades themselves. “We will examine the criteria and the structure of the grades. If there are perverse incentives, we want to eliminate them” he explained. He also stresses the importance of prevention, hoping that stronger preventive measures can reduce the number of people who become care‑dependent.
“Opposition to a co‑payment cap”
The SPD has called for a ceiling on the residents’ co‑payment in nursing homes. Laumann rejects this. “The SPD can’t pretend to help people: the social nursing‑care insurance exists for the cost of care, not for housing and meals. Those expenses must be shared with the residents, whether they are care‑dependent or not”. He added that capping the resident’s share would actually relieve those who can afford the co‑payment while forcing everyone-including low‑income residents-to bear the cost through higher contributions or taxes. “Would that be socially fair?” he questioned.
“Financial realities for nursing‑home residents”
Laumann pointed out that most nursing‑home residents can afford the costs. “Two thirds of people living in nursing homes receive no municipal financial aid” he said. “Thus, the majority have other income or savings in addition to their statutory pension, which they use to cover the co‑payment”.