Bundes Ombudsman Urges Increased Funding for Bund: "Klingbeil Needs to Reconsider This" - Commissioner of Nursing calls for increased funding from federal authorities: "Klingbeil needs to follow through again"
The Federal Audit Office in Germany has issued a warning about a significant funding gap in the country's long-term care insurance system, with the deficit expected to double to €3.5 billion next year and potentially reach €12.3 billion by 2029 [1]. This alarming shortfall is attributed to an aging population, rising personnel costs, and a continually expanding benefits catalog that has outstripped available financial resources.
The care of the elderly is becoming a great social challenge, with the federal government's care commissioner stating that society cannot afford to fail in addressing this issue. The initial outlines from the commission are expected to be incorporated into concrete legislation next year [2].
The financial pressures on the care insurance system have led to concerns about its stability, with the CEO of the insurance group DAK describing the situation as an "existential crisis" [1]. As a result, a course correction is required, and the commission's proposed solutions might focus on adjusting the benefit catalog to better match financial means, possibly increasing contributions or funding mechanisms, addressing personnel cost inflation and efficiency improvements, and considering demographic-driven adjustments reflecting the aging population [1].
The federal-state commission on care reform, which began its work in early July, is expected to present initial outlines by the end of the year [3]. However, the care commissioner did not specify what these unpopular decisions or fundamental changes might entail [4]. The budget situation is acknowledged to be tight, but the preparation of the budget is also considered a matter of priorities [5].
It is also worth noting that the insured do not pay pension contributions for caring relatives or the training costs for care workers, amounting to more than six billion euros per year [6]. Furthermore, the federal government owes the care insurance more than five billion euros from the time of the corona pandemic [7].
The previously promised loans of a total of two billion euros are unlikely to be the final solution to the funding gap [8]. However, the concrete legislation incorporating the initial outlines from the commission is expected to be passed next year [2], providing a potential path towards addressing the funding crisis in the long-term care insurance system.
[1] https://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/corona-krisen-bei-pflegekasse-bundesrechnungshof-warnte-alarmierend-a-35197936.html [2] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html [3] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html [4] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html [5] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html [6] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html [7] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html [8] https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/pflege-reform-gesetz-107.html
- The Commission, recognizing the funding gap in Germany's long-term care insurance system, has decided to grant the aid to the German authorities for addressing the issue.
- As the elderly care becomes a social challenge, society cannot afford to neglect this issue, according to the federal government's care commissioner.
- The Commission's initial outlines are expected to be incorporated into concrete legislation next year.
- The financial pressures on the care insurance system have led to concerns about its stability, with the CEO of DAK describing the situation as an "existential crisis".
- A course correction is required, and the Commission's proposed solutions might focus on adjusting the benefit catalog, increasing contributions or funding mechanisms, addressing personnel cost inflation, and improving efficiency.
- The federal-state commission on care reform, which began its work in early July, is expected to present initial outlines by the end of the year.
- However, the care commissioner did not specify what these unpopular decisions or fundamental changes might entail.
- The budget situation is acknowledged to be tight, but the preparation of the budget is also considered a matter of priorities.
- It is also worth noting that the insured do not pay pension contributions for caring relatives or the training costs for care workers, amounting to more than six billion euros per year.
- Furthermore, the federal government owes the care insurance more than five billion euros from the time of the corona pandemic.
- The previously promised loans of a total of two billion euros are unlikely to be the final solution to the funding gap.
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