Manuela Schwesig, the Minister President of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (SPD), has severely criticized the long-term care reform compromise reached by the black-red coalition. Speaking to “Der Spiegel”, Schwesig stated, “Today’s outcome concerning care is unfortunately not a reform. We need a genuine reform that relieves families, not further burdens them.”
The SPD politician also criticized Friedrich Merz of the CDU, claiming he “learned nothing from the elections” and unfortunately “continues the status quo.” She emphasized that care should never lead to poverty. Because of this, Schwesig urgently called for discussions regarding proposals for a ‘care ceiling’ (Pflegedeckel).
Furthermore, she highlighted the injustice of care being financed differently through state and private insurance funds. “This demands a true reform of these structures,” the Minister President insisted.
The union and the SPD had previously agreed upon a care reform just prior to this Wednesday’s cabinet meeting. However, any structural reforms are scheduled to be developed by an expert commission that the cabinet plans to mandate in the coming week.
