Overview

• Reports in Bild say the coalition is again considering abolishing Care Level 1 to ease long‑term care insurance deficits, with estimated annual savings of about €1.8 billion.
• North Rhine-Westphalia health minister Karl-Josef Laumann (CDU) called for an honest review of the care grades and said reorienting Care Level 1 is under discussion, arguing it has not curbed growth in care needs.
• VdK president Verena Bentele rejected scrapping the benefit and said low‑threshold support helps people remain at home longer, which can prevent higher system costs.
• Roughly 85% of people requiring care are supported at home, often by relatives, and Bentele urged more relief for family carers rather than cutting entry‑level benefits.
• SPD figures reiterated opposition to benefit cuts, pointing to ongoing federal‑state work on financing proposals and calling instead for strengthening revenues and safeguarding home and ambulant care.