Klaus Holetschek, the chairman of the CSU parliamentary group, has called for a review of the planned government reforms to ensure they are equitable. Speaking to the news portal “T-Online,” Holetschek questioned the current direction, asking, “We really have to ask ourselves: Is everything right as we plan it?” He expressed strong support for Markus Söder’s demand for a “fairness check” on these reforms.
While acknowledging that the reforms are necessary and correct, Holetschek stressed that the public must be reassured that future changes will improve their situation, not just strip away existing benefits. As an example, he urged that changes to institutional care be postponed temporarily for reevaluation. Furthermore, he insisted that the cost borne by patients for home and nursing stay expenses must remain affordable. Holetschek criticized the idea of increasing insurance subsidies while simultaneously recognizing that nursing homes are continuously increasing in price, adding that this ultimately forces local municipalities to cover care costs using taxpayer money.
Regarding the abolition of the “pension at 63” scheme, Holetschek advocated for practical transition periods or special clauses for difficult cases. He warned, “Nobody must be afraid that they won’t be able to make it until retirement.” He dismissed the plan to reduce pension accruals for caregiving relatives as “a crazy idea.” He was glad that Minister of Health Carsten Linnemann (CDU) had already dismissed this proposal.
