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Care level 1 in danger: Millions of Germans are facing uncertainty!
In Saarland there is discussion about abolishing care level 1. Experts warn of financial consequences and a lack of support.
Care level 1 in danger: Millions of Germans are facing uncertainty!
In Germany, the discussion about statutory nursing care insurance is simmering. The focus is particularly on the possible impending abolition of care level 1, which offers support to many people with minor impairments. Around two billion euros are missing from long-term care insurance every year, and the political debate about solutions is becoming more heated. The S.R reports that abolishing this level of care would potentially save up to 1.8 billion euros, which at first glance sounds like good news. But as we all know, the devil is in the details.
Saarland is an example here, where all parliamentary groups in the state parliament voted against the deletion of care level 1. Regine Krimgen-Paulus from the Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband emphasizes the importance of services that not only make everyday life easier for those affected, but also relieve the burden on relatives. The daily news warns that insecurity is growing among the approximately 860,000 people affected and their families. This number could increase as discussions at the political level intensify.
Care level 1 in detail
Care level 1 was launched in 2017 to give people with minor disabilities access to support services. While care allowances are available for care levels 2 and higher, people in care level 1 receive a dedicated relief amount for smaller services, such as household support or accompaniment to doctor's appointments. Loud ZDF The cancellation could put people in a precarious situation as they might then have to rely on inpatient care, which could drive up the overall costs.
The federal government is under pressure to push forward reforms in long-term care insurance in order to support the ever-growing number of people in need of care. Current estimates assume an increase to up to 7.6 million people in need of care by 2055. If support for people with care level 1 ends, this could have far-reaching consequences for the social participation and well-being of those affected.
The political situation
The debate about care level 1 takes place in the context of an ever-increasing deficit in long-term care insurance. By 2029, the deficit could grow to over 12 billion euros. This creates a dichotomy between financial necessity and social responsibility. Politicians in the government coalition are speaking anonymously, but SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch has already denied the deletion, while the CDU health minister is... well, neutral.
Critics, such as the VdK Saarland, warn that the cancellation could be seen as senseless and counterproductive, as the burden on relatives would increase. It remains exciting to see which proposals the federal-state working group “Future Pact for Care”, which is currently meeting, will present in two weeks.
In summary, the future of care level 1 is in jeopardy and poses challenges for both politics and society. It could prove to be essential to think not only about savings, but also about meaningful support for the enormous number of people in need of care in Germany in order to strengthen social participation and trust in long-term care insurance.