New calculations by the AOK indicate that the austerity measures proposed by the Red-Black coalition to reform long-term care insurance are inadequate to cover the expected multi-billion euro deficits. According to an analysis conducted by the Scientific Institute of the AOK (Wido), reported by the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” the planned change in how care needs are assessed will only yield savings of two billion euros annually, falling far short of the four billion euros predicted by the Ministry of Health. Consequently, these measures fail to address the annual shortfall of over 15 billion euros.
Carola Reimann, chairwoman of the AOK federal association, told the RND that “the previously planned consolidation measures are simply insufficient.” While she welcomed the announcement from the new Minister of Health, Carsten Linnemann (CDU), to withdraw cuts to the pension entitlements of caring relatives, this development makes the need for alternative funding sources even more urgent and requires a quick response. “Otherwise, the central goal of the planned reform-the financial stabilization of social long-term care insurance-will be pushed far into the distance,” she warned.
The original draft for the reform, initially presented by former Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU), proposed raising the thresholds for classification into various care grades. This approach aims to slow the sharp increase in the number of people requiring care. Since the generous care reform of 2017, the number of people needing care has more than doubled, now surpassing six million.
