Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU) has dismissed calls for an expansion of the care insurance system to encompass full coverage.
Speaking to newspapers belonging to the “Neue Berliner Redaktionsgesellschaft” and the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” (including the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”), Warken stated she does not support proposals to transition the current system into a comprehensive insurance model. Unions, social welfare organizations and even the CSU have repeatedly advocated for such a change. Since its inception in 1995, the care insurance system has operated as a partial coverage scheme, covering only a portion of costs.
However, the Minister expressed openness towards a proposal put forth by the coalition partner, the SPD, which seeks to cap the monthly financial contributions of care home residents. This idea is currently under discussion within the Federal-State Commission “Future Pact Care” expected to present its findings by the end of the year. Warken indicated she is eager to see the commission’s results, adding, “I am open to the idea if it is implementable”.
