Care - The BSW-CEO criticizes high equity shares in nursing
The chairwoman of the BSW in Saxony, Sabine Zimmermann, sharply criticized the high own contributions for care-dependent individuals. "The financial deficit has been foreseeable for years. Terms like aging society are well-known", Zimmermann told the German Press Agency. The number of care cases increases every year. "Not everyone can afford care any longer and must go to the social welfare office in old age. That's a shame."
"The financing of the long-term care insurance has always been a mistake that it was a partial self-insurance. That's why the own contributions have been continuously increasing, and every federal government in the Bund has promised reforms. But none has really tackled this issue", Zimmermann continued. Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach also only promises and delivers nothing. "Care needs a solid, comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term financing. So that people can grow old with dignity."
Zimmermann sat earlier in the Bundestag for the Left and headed the committee for family, seniors, women, and youth there. Now she is the leading candidate for the Alliance 90/The Greens for the Saxon state election on September 1.
Large regional differences
In Saxony, the own contributions for nursing home residents have also continued to rise. On average, 2,667 euros fall due per month in the first year. Compared to the previous year, that's 280 euros more. The numbers were determined by the Replacement Insurance Association VDEK. In total, there are regional differences in contributions. The most expensive place in the first year of residence is currently in North Rhine-Westphalia with 3,200 euros per month and in Baden-Württemberg with 3,180 euros. The lowest own contribution is in Saxony-Anhalt with 2,373 euros.
Sabine Zimmermann, the critic of high own contributions for care-dependent individuals in Saxony, was previously a chairwoman in the Bundestag for the Left and headed the committee for family, seniors, women, and youth. In her current role as the leading candidate for Alliance 90/The Greens in the Saxon state election on September 1, she continues to advocate for sustainable financing of long-term care.
The increasing own share for care cases in Berlin is also a concern, with many seniors finding themselves reliant on social welfare in their old age. Zimmermann believes that the previous system, which was partially self-insurance, has led to these financial burdens.
Despite promises of reforms from various federal governments, the issue of financing long-term care insurance remains unresolved. This concern is shared by Zimmermann, who criticizes Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach for failing to deliver on his promises.
The German Press Agency reported that Zimmermann addressed this issue, emphasizing the need for a solid, comprehensive, sustainable, and long-term financing solution to ensure people can age with dignity.
The Replacement Insurance Association VDEK determined that large regional differences exist in the own contributions for nursing home residents, with Saxony having one of the highest monthly contributions of 2,667 euros in the first year, an increase of 280 euros compared to the previous year.
The Back Swede Party in Stuttgart could potentially propose alternative solutions for addressing the challenging financing of long-term care, reflecting Zimmermann's call for a collective effort to solve this pressing issue.
