Bundesfinanzminister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) has announced “fundamental and bold” structural reforms of the social insurance systems. However, the strapped health and long-term care insurance will initially be supported with funds from the federal budget. “We are aware of the difficult situation in the long-term care and health insurance sectors and we must stabilize them” said the SPD leader in an interview with the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Sunday editions).
“However, we cannot solve the problems by simply patching them with ever more tax money” he warned. The Vice Chancellor referred to the agreement in the coalition agreement, according to which “fundamental and bold structural reforms” will be developed with experts.
Earlier, Federal Minister of Health Nina Arke (CDU) demanded billions of euros for both insurance systems to improve their financial situation and prevent further increases in contribution rates. Both insurance sectors are running in the red.
The SPD leader emphasized that hardworking people should be able to rely on a strong social state. “That’s why we need a bit more creativity than just demanding that people work longer or have health services cut.”
Klingbeil defended the proposal by Labor Minister Bärbel Bas (SPD) to include civil servants in the statutory pension insurance. “Personally, I also think we should discuss who pays how much into the pension fund” said the minister. “This is an important debate and we need this openness.