Scholz advocates for comprehensive health care reform across various political spectra
"Scholz thinks the nursing care insurance reform could be a 'centuries-wide achievement' that breaks party lines," he suggested during a chat with locals in Bremen. Still, he admitted that it's not guaranteed, stressing, "We can't afford to give up hope." The aim is to mitigate the rising personal payments, which shouldn't skyrocket.
Scholz forecasted the reform process would be "quite challenging." While there's an expectation for top-notch services from nursing care insurance, the annoying reality of escalating contributions must be dealt with carefully. He added, "If we strike that balance, I am convinced we can pull it off."
Lauterbach, the Federal Health Minister, will unveil reform plans in autumn. These will be fine-tuned in consultations with Scholz beforehand, as acknowledged by Scholz.
Merely a week prior, Lauterbach issued a warning of substantial hikes in individual contributions for nursing care, if there's no root-and-branch reform in funding. "Unless we act, we may find ourselves paying 4,000 euros per month in a couple of years," Lauterbach cautioningly informed Funke newspapers. Senior citizens have valid concerns about being forced into nursing homes due to the existing monthly contributions, which vary between 2,600 and 3,300 euros depending on the state.
Scholz expressed his hope that the reform of health care, specifically the nursing care insurance, could also address the rising personal payments, preventing them from soaring excessively. Embracing the challenging process ahead, he stated, "We need to strike a balance between maintaining top-notch services and managing escalating contributions carefully, to ensure the success of this reform."
