Germany's long-term care crisis deepens as reform debate intensifies
Verena Bentele, president of the German Social Association (VdK), has warned against cuts to long-term care insurance. She spoke out as Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) pushes for reforms to tackle the system’s growing deficit. Bentele stressed that immediate federal support is needed to stabilise care insurance finances.
Bentele criticised proposals to raise eligibility thresholds or reduce benefits. She argued that such measures would only create higher costs in the long run. Instead, she called for short-term federal funding to cover non-insurance-related benefits.
The rise in care dependency, she noted, stems from better early detection and greater societal acceptance of care needs. Bentele also demanded fairer financial equalisation between statutory and private long-term care insurance over time. Her long-term solution involves a solidarity-based system covering all citizens and all types of income. Without this, she warned, the financial strain on care insurance will only worsen.
The debate comes as Minister Warken seeks ways to reduce the deficit in long-term care insurance. Bentele’s proposals focus on federal support and a more inclusive funding model. The outcome will shape how Germany manages its growing care demands in the years ahead.
