(Gemini Audio)
(de-news.net) — The ongoing debate surrounding the future of Germany’s care insurance system has gained renewed momentum, with prominent political and industry figures calling for substantial reforms. Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU), Health Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, has publicly advocated for a comprehensive overhaul of the five-tier care grade structure, which has been in place since 2017. His remarks come amid increasing scrutiny of Care Grade 1 and discussions about its potential elimination.
Laumann emphasized the importance of conducting a transparent and honest reassessment of the care grade framework to safeguard the long-term viability of the national care insurance system. He argued that eight years after its implementation, it is imperative to evaluate whether the current structure effectively meets the needs of care-dependent individuals and remains financially sustainable.
In particular, Laumann criticized Care Grade 1, which was originally introduced as a preventive measure aimed at delaying the onset of more severe care needs. He contended that the grade has not achieved its intended purpose and has instead led to an expansion of expectations regarding the scope of services covered by the insurance system. According to Laumann, this shift has blurred the boundaries of what constitutes core care responsibilities. He called for a renewed emphasis on strengthening outpatient and home-based care services, which he views as essential to maintaining a responsive and efficient care infrastructure. Laumann also expressed support for Federal Health Minister Nina Warken’s (CDU) willingness to reconsider the role and relevance of Grade 1 in the broader system.
Meanwhile, Steffen Kampeter, Chief Executive of the Confederation of German Employers’ Associations (BDA), underscored the financial risks posed by the current structure. He warned that without decisive structural reforms, contributions to the care insurance fund could rise sharply, placing an unsustainable burden on contributors. Kampeter advocated for a system that concentrates on significant risks—those that individuals cannot manage independently—and stressed that Grade 1 should not be exempt from critical evaluation. He further emphasized the need to promote individual responsibility through targeted incentives for preventive health measures and private care planning, which he believes are vital components of a balanced and equitable reform.
In response to growing media speculation about the potential abolition of Care Grade 1, Warken offered reassurances that no abrupt changes would be imposed on beneficiaries. Nevertheless, she acknowledged the pressing need for reform to ensure the system remains effective and fair across generations. The minister pointed to the recently convened Care Commission, which has been tasked with conducting a thorough analysis of the care insurance system’s financial structure and developing concrete policy recommendations. “A reform is long overdue,” Warken stated, adding that public awareness of the system’s limitations is increasing and that meaningful change is both necessary and inevitable.
As the debate continues, stakeholders across the political and economic spectrum are grappling with how best to adapt the care insurance system to meet future challenges. The outcome of these discussions will likely have far-reaching implications for the approximately 860,000 individuals currently receiving benefits under Care Grade 1, most of whom rely on support for household tasks as their independence begins to decline due to age or illness.
