The German Association for Care and Support for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (VDAB) has voiced significant concerns regarding the preliminary findings released Monday evening by the Federal-State Working Group on the “Future Care Pact”. The initiative, ostensibly designed to address the long-term challenges facing professional care provision, is being criticized for a perceived lack of ambition and a failure to adequately address the systemic issues plaguing the sector.
VDAB’s Chief Executive Officer, Thomas Knieling, expressed his disappointment in statements to Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers. He argued that proposed adjustments to the care insurance system, while seemingly intended to moderate individual contributions, risk exacerbating the existing financial instability if cost increases are not effectively managed. Approaches such as the so-called “base-peak exchange” – shifting funding priorities – are considered insufficient.
The working group’s consideration of overarching budgets and performance bundling remains in its nascent stages, according to Knieling. He emphasized the urgent need for concrete details outlining how these models can be realistically integrated into the current care insurance framework. Representing the interests of over 1,800 member companies in both ambulatory and stationary elderly and disability care, VDAB cautions that vague proposals risk undermining the initiative’s overall goals.
A core criticism directed toward the preliminary findings focuses on the underrepresentation of the care provider perspective, particularly concerning nursing homes. Knieling called for increased operational freedom and flexibility for care facilities, coupled with a significant reduction in bureaucratic burdens. He insisted that securing the financial viability of care businesses is paramount; any reform efforts are ultimately futile if they fail to ensure that adequate care provision remains accessible at the local level. The VDAB’s statements highlight a deepening political debate surrounding the future of care in Germany, with questions arising about the efficacy of the “Future Care Pact” and the government’s commitment to adequately supporting the sector.
