German nursing care reform faces delay as health chief demands major revisions

Andreas Storm, head of DAK-Gesundheit, has urged the government to delay the upcoming nursing care reform. He argues the current draft needs major revisions before it can proceed. The reform is set for cabinet review next Monday, but its timeline now looks uncertain. Storm has called for the withdrawal of the draft bill. He believes it should be reworked from scratch. His concerns include spending caps and new revenue measures designed to prevent contribution increases.

He warns that cuts to inpatient care funding would push costs onto local councils. Reducing support for family caregivers could also drain the pension fund by €1.8 billion each year. According to Storm, half of those in residential care might end up dependent on welfare if the reform goes ahead as planned.

To address these issues, he wants the government to pause the reform. His proposal is to revise it over the summer, aligning the process with the pension system overhaul. The reform’s future now hangs in the balance. Storm’s warnings highlight financial risks for both individuals and public funds. The government must decide whether to postpone the draft or press ahead with the current plan.