The Deutsche Pflegerat has called on the new Federal Minister of Health, Carsten Linnemann, to guide the forthcoming care reform toward a fundamental structural overhaul. In an interview with the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung,” Christine Vogler, president of the Deutsche Pflegerat, stressed that the reform must be a genuine structural change.
According to Vogler, merely increasing funding is insufficient to empower those in need of care, their family members, or the care professionals themselves. She demands that the foundational principles of financing be reviewed, specifically calling for an open debate on whether the current dual system of statutory and private health and long-term care insurance remains fair, efficient, or viable for the future. Furthermore, she insists that certain societal and non-insurance-related services-such as the pension contributions for caring relatives-should be funded consistently through tax revenues. To optimize care delivery, Vogler also strongly advocates for granting care professionals greater independent authority.
She criticizes the current proposals for the reform, stating that they primarily focus on achieving short-term financial stabilization within the health and care insurance systems. However, in Vogler’s view, such measures do not solve the underlying problems; they merely postpone them. Therefore, the reform cannot be limited to higher contributions, service cuts, or increased burdens placed on care recipients and their relatives.
The necessary structural reforms, she concludes, will inevitably be politically difficult and require courage. Vogler stated that the Deutsche Pflegerat expects the new Federal Minister of Health to demonstrate exactly this courage and ensure consistent implementation.
