The Left Party has sharply criticized the structural commission for nursing reform planned by Federal Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU). The party leader, Ines Schwerdtner, told the Funke media group that anyone observing the government’s current handling of health insurance should be apprehensive about Linnemann’s announcement. She argued that his proposal sounds less like a genuine reform and more like “another round of cuts.”
Schwerdtner pointed out that if Linnemann is already discussing the need for a ten percent reduction in nursing expenditures, the direction is clear: those needing care and their families will have to pay more, receive fewer services, and take on greater responsibilities. She characterized this not as a nursing reform, but as a “social policy reduction program.”
Linnemann had previously announced the creation of a structural commission composed of independent experts and scientists. This commission is tasked with fundamentally examining the nursing system and proposing structural reforms, with the aim of implementing changes in the coming year.
According to the Minister, the current nursing system is not sustainable for the future. He stated to the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” that if the system is not fundamentally overhauled, it will collapse in the 2030s. Currently, about 75 billion Euros are spent annually on care. He believes that ten percent of this amount must be saved immediately. Furthermore, the number of people requiring care is expected to rise to around 7.5 million by 2050.
Schwerdtner faulted the federal government for failing to adequately address the consequences of care for affected individuals and their relatives. She mentioned that millions of people work while simultaneously caring for parents or partners, struggling to balance these immense burdens.
From the perspective of the Left Party, the core issue within the nursing insurance is not the high level of services, but rather its funding. Schwerdtner asserted that “a true reform would finally integrate well-paid workers, private insurers, and people with high capital income on a basis of solidarity.” She demanded that the federal government decide whether it will continue to tailor policies for the wealthy elite or provide relief to the majority.
Despite the announced structural reform, Linnemann initially intends to implement the Nursing Ordinance Law initiated by his predecessor, Nina Warken (CDU). He plans a cabinet resolution on this topic this month, which should stabilize nursing insurance contributions next year. According to Linnemann, without these savings, approximately eight billion Euros will be missing in 2027, necessitating a significant increase in the general contribution rate.
