The Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD), a prominent social welfare association, is advocating for increased government funding to bolster both the healthcare and long-term care insurance systems. Michaela Engelmeier, the SoVD’s chairwoman, highlighted the significant challenges facing the current government, attributing them to demographic shifts and a history of limited reform.
Engelmeier emphasized the urgency of addressing non-insurance-related expenses currently financed through tax revenues. She voiced the need for fundamental structural adjustments, calling for a “citizen’s insurance” model to strengthen the financial foundation and enhance the effectiveness of the healthcare system, ensuring its future viability.
Similarly, Engelmeier proposed a transition for the existing long-term care insurance towards a comprehensive citizen’s insurance model. This would provide full coverage for care needs, with costs distributed based on individual capacity to pay, fostering a system of shared responsibility. Until such changes are enacted, Engelmeier urged a restriction on individual co-payments within the long-term care system.
The call for increased funding echoes recent statements from Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU), who has also campaigned for greater budgetary allocation to both healthcare and long-term care. Warken specifically addressed concerns regarding the increasing costs associated with residential care within the long-term care system, advocating for a halt to further increases in these costs.
