The German Health Minister, Nina Warken (CDU), has staunchly defended the preliminary findings of a joint working group tasked with reforming the country’s overburdened care system, dismissing widespread criticism as overlooking crucial groundwork. Speaking to the “Rheinische Post” Warken insisted the group fulfilled its mandate to develop “foundational elements” for a legislative process, emphasizing that comprehensive options had been meticulously prepared by expert bodies at both the federal and state levels.
While acknowledging areas of agreement – including a heightened focus on preventative measures to reduce the need for long-term care and a review of the grading system used to determine care levels – Warken cautioned against fragmented, piecemeal solutions. She stressed the necessity for a holistic reform package, aligned with the recommendations of a newly formed statutory health insurance (GKV) financing commission.
Addressing concerns regarding the apparent lack of a detailed financial plan accompanying the working group’s output, Warken attributed the criticism to unrealistic expectations. She argued that outlining cost-sharing commitments within a collaborative body involving the federal government, states and local authorities is inherently challenging.
The long-term financial sustainability of the care system remains a significant hurdle. Warken conceded that billions of euros in loans, secured to bolster the care insurance fund, will need to be repaid. She affirmed the federal government’s expectation that these repayments must be incorporated into the future financing framework of the care insurance fund, ensuring its independence from short-term budgetary maneuvers within the federal budget.
The prospect of broadening the financial burden to include higher earners, through increasing the income threshold for care contributions from €5,500 to €8,000, has been met with resistance from Warken. She prioritized avoiding additional financial burdens on citizens, suggesting that alternative approaches are preferable. While acknowledging differing stances within her governing coalition, she promised these issues would be addressed in forthcoming discussions aimed at achieving a comprehensive financial solution.
Warken committed to presenting a draft bill for the planned care reform by the summer recess of 2026, with the goal of implementing the reforms by January 1, 2027. This ambitious timeline underscores the urgency of addressing the systemic challenges facing Germany’s care system, but already highlights potential political friction as different stakeholders navigate the complex task of developing a financially viable and politically acceptable reform package.
