Thomas Greiner, President of the Association of Employers in Nursing (AGVP), has sharply criticized the nursing reform pushed forward by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU). Speaking to the “Rheinische Post”, he asserted that the reforms constitute a “robbery” targeting contributors, care recipients, and municipalities, arguing that it merely involves using “billions of euros in clever tricks to confuse people”.
Greiner added that currently, elderly people can wait up to eighteen months for a place in a care facility, and none of the announced reform measures will address this critical issue. Furthermore, addressing the problem through family care will not be a solution in his view. He pointed out that fewer than half of Germans are willing or able to care for a care-dependent relative themselves, leading to the question: “Who are the care assistants supposed to look after?”
In place of this radical approach, Greiner advocated for innovative ideas and new care concepts that could ensure high-quality service. The association president emphasized that nursing facilities and care workers know what is needed locally and how to achieve good standards.
The Minister Warken had initiated the interdepartmental consultation process on Wednesday, presenting a draft report on the nursing reform. The plan aims to balance the deficit in the nursing insurance system through a package of measures affecting revenues and expenditures, alongside new regulations regarding sector payroll and remuneration.
