Care in the crisis - Caritas: More burden on the wealthy in care financing
The President of the German Caritas Association, Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa, intends to involve the wealthy more strongly in the financing of long-term care insurance. "The future of care holds significant demographic and social challenges," Welskop-Deffaa told the Funke Media Group newspapers. This may not bode well for younger professional groups.
"A fair risk balance includes involving performance-capable seniors and seniors solidarily," said the Caritas President. "It cannot be that the long-term care insurance primarily protects the wealth of the affluent."
The Federal Cabinet will discuss a report on the financing of care and possible reforms on Wednesday. According to a draft of the paper obtained by dpa, the current financial situation of the statutory long-term care insurance is significantly influenced by the financial burdens during the Corona pandemic, but even more so by the persistent strong increase in the number of care-dependent persons, which far exceeds the expected increase due to demographic development alone.
DGB: "Citizens' Long-Term Care Insurance" must come
DGB board member Anja Piel therefore urged reforms in a statement for "a Citizens' Long-Term Care Insurance, in which more people pay in, who bear all care costs and in which there are no contributions that keep growing indefinitely." Proposals from the German Trade Union Federation (DGB) are on the table. The long-term care insurance is expected to show red numbers for this year. According to the latest figures from the top association of statutory health insurance funds, a deficit of 1.5 billion euros is expected for this year, and 3.4 billion euros for 2025. This corresponds to a contribution increase of 0.2 percentage points.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has recently made it clear that a care reform is to be tackled. Observers no longer reckon with this before the Bundestag election in 2025.
- Eva Maria Welskop-Deffaa, the President of German Caritas Association, advocates for engaging the wealthy more in financing long-term care insurance, acknowledging the challenges the future of care poses.
- Caritas President Welskop-Deffaa emphasizes the importance of a fair risk balance, involving performance-capable seniors and seniors who share the burden, ensuring long-term care insurance isn't solely financially protecting the wealthy.
- The German government is set to discuss a report on care financing and potential reforms, with the draft suggesting the financial strain on statutory long-term care insurance being heavily impacted by the Corona pandemic and the increasing number of care-dependent individuals.
- DGB board member Anja Piel calls for long-term care insurance reforms, pushing for a system where more people contribute, share the burden, and bear all care costs, aiming to prevent continuously increasing contributions.
- Amidst the ongoing financial struggles of long-term care insurance, with an anticipated deficit of 1.5 billion euros this year and 3.4 billion euros by 2025, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz has declared a commitment to addressing the issue, although not expected to take action before the 2025 Bundestag election.
- Funke Media Group newspapers reported on the intent of Caritas President Welskop-Deffaa to engage more wealthy individuals in long-term care insurance financing, acknowledging the future challenges of care while suggesting a more balanced approach for the widespread benefit of society.
