The planned decrease in subsidies for nursing home residents, initiated by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), is expected to impose a noticeable financial burden on most affected individuals. According to preliminary calculations from the Federal Association of Private Service Providers (BPA), reported by the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” the current plans mean that the average self-contribution for a resident in a nursing home across Germany will increase by up to 1,800 Euros over the first two years of care. This two-year calculation window was chosen because three-quarters of all people receiving institutional care do not reside in a nursing home.
Warken intends to modify the existing staggered subsidies-designed to reduce the personal share of the costs based on how long the resident stays-by making them increase more slowly than they have historically.
The proposal drew sharp criticism from BPA President Bernd Meurer, who stressed that both care-dependent individuals and their families already struggle with the high co-payments. Meurer voiced his concerns by stating that the Minister had repeatedly promised to resolve the issue through reforms, noting that the SPD coalition partner even used campaign promises of a €1,000 cap. He questioned Warken’s motives, accusing her of placing a “billion-mark burden” on vulnerable patients and their families. Meurer concluded by criticizing the move as bordering on political deception, claiming, “Relief was promised, but a burden has been delivered”.