Overview
- DAK‑commissioned polling released Thursday found 49% of caregivers had seen “care poverty,” defined as losing a home or most savings because of care costs.
- DAK chief Andreas Storm warned of “social explosive” effects and urged swift action, and Health Minister Nina Warken said she will present a first reform draft by mid‑May.
- The private insurers’ lobby proposed a single flexible care budget and urged scrapping the €131 monthly relief benefit for people in care level 1, which would shift money toward advice and training.
- An IGES study for statutory insurers reports most first‑time claimants receive lower care levels 1–2, and media reports say raising assessment thresholds and slowing nursing‑home subsidies are on the table.
- Families face steep bills that average €3,245 a month in the first year in a care home and about 309,000 residents rely on social assistance, while forecasts point to a €5–6 billion shortfall next year that could trigger tighter access and a rush to apply before any change.