The Sozialverband Deutschland (SoVD), a prominent social welfare association, has joined the growing call for increased government funding to support Germany’s healthcare and long-term care insurance systems. Michaela Engelmeier, SoVD’s Chairwoman, emphasized the significant challenges facing the current administration, attributing them to demographic shifts and a history of delayed reforms.
Engelmeier specifically highlighted the need for immediate financial support for non-insurance related services currently funded through tax revenue. She underscored the urgency of addressing these needs to ensure the stability and efficacy of these vital social programs.
Beyond simply increasing funding, Engelmeier advocated for fundamental structural changes within both the healthcare and long-term care sectors. She envisions a comprehensive citizen’s health insurance system designed to bolster the financial foundation, enhance performance and guarantee future resilience. Similarly, she called for the evolution of the existing long-term care insurance into a full-coverage citizen’s insurance model, ensuring complete coverage against care-related risks, financed through a system of solidarity where contributions are based on individual capacity. Until such a system is implemented, Engelmeier suggested a limit be placed on individual contributions.
These calls echo recent statements from Federal Minister of Health Nina Warken (CDU), who has also championed increased budgetary allocations for healthcare and long-term care. Minister Warken has particularly focused on the rising costs of institutional care within the long-term care insurance system, expressing a desire to halt further increases. The ongoing dialogue underscores the complexity and importance of addressing the future of social welfare in Germany.
