Wirtschaft expert Achim Truger believes that the pressures stemming from the planned care reform are distributed highly unevenly. According to the economist, when examining the sums being saved, the additional revenue generated only accounts for about a quarter, while the cuts make up three-quarters of the total.
Truger points out that raising the contribution assessment limit will impose burdens on higher earners, and even individuals without children will be disproportionately affected. He argues that the federal government itself is in the best position to shoulder greater burdens, yet instead, the government is deploying a “cutting hammer”.
The economist criticizes the draft report presented by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), arguing that it prioritizes the wrong things. He states, “With the measures included in the draft report, personal contributions will continue to increase. Consequently, the social assistance rate will also continue to rise. The goal of maintaining constant contribution rates is being subordinated to everything else”.
According to Truger, the current reform plans allow the federal government to shirk its obligations. “Employers are fine because their contributions are barely rising. Everyone else suffers: the municipalities, because they will have to finance more assistance for care in the future. Furthermore, insured individuals will probably have to provide more private savings in the future. Benefits will be cut for many people requiring care. Crucially, this reform also harms employees because the collective bargaining agreement in the care sector is slated to be suspended for four years. All of this involves serious cuts-just not for the employers and the government. The latter is taking an easy way out”.
