Berlin. Federal Health Minister Professor Karl Lauterbach warns of acute problems in long-term care insurance. The number of people needing care has increased “almost explosively” in recent years, the SPD politician told the newspapers of “Rede Editorial Germany” (Monday). For demographic reasons, an increase of around 50,000 people would be expected in 2023 – but the increase would actually be more than 360,000 people.
Lauterbach said he does not believe that a “catch-up effect” caused by the corona pandemic explains an increase of this magnitude. “I assume we are experiencing a sandwich effect: in addition to very old people who need care, there are the first baby boomers who now also need care.” generations that simultaneously depend on care: baby boomers and their parents. This poses specific challenges for the care system.
Asked what this means for long-term care insurance contribution rates, the minister said: “In any case, it will not be easy, in the medium and long term a more solid form of financing care is needed.” However, he considers financial reform of the traffic light government unlikely during this election period. He himself advocates insurance for citizens in nursing care insurance and greater fiscal financing, for example for the pension contributions of family caregivers.
At the same time, Lauterbach suggested restructuring social assistance for people in need of care. “Many of those affected find it degrading to be dependent on social assistance at the end of a life they have worked hard for,” he explained. To prevent those affected from having to go to the social care service, nursing care funds could pay for “care assistance” in the future. To finance this, however, tax money saved by municipalities would have to flow into nursing care insurance. (KNA)