The statutory health insurance provider DAK has voiced serious concerns regarding the financial stability of Germany’s long-term care insurance system. Andreas Storm, CEO of DAK-Gesundheit, stated in an interview with the “Rheinische Post” that the social care insurance system faces an “existential crisis” three decades after its establishment, necessitating urgent government action.
Storm emphasized that a recent report by the Federal Court of Auditors reveals a more precarious situation than previously acknowledged. He asserted that both the health and long-term care insurance sectors are in critical condition and require immediate and intensive intervention.
DAK is advocating for immediate financial relief, arguing that the loans proposed by Finance Minister Klingbeil are insufficient. Instead, Storm calls for the swift return of approximately 5.2 billion euros in COVID-19 relief funds. Following this, he insists on a comprehensive and sustainable reform of the care insurance system, underpinned by substantial structural changes.
A point of criticism leveled by the DAK CEO concerns the current process for formulating the long-term care reform. He questioned the efficacy of a joint Federal-State working group developing the reform without the direct involvement of care insurance providers and other key stakeholders in the care sector. The working group convened for its initial meeting on Monday, prompting the concerns raised by Storm.
