Overview
- DAK-Gesundheit’s Allensbach survey, published Thursday, reports 49% of caregivers have seen “care poverty,” defined as losing a home or most savings due to care bills.
- Two thirds of respondents want a comprehensive overhaul of the care system, and 61% expect either higher premiums or benefit cuts, with 51% open to higher premiums if the state fully covers the care risk.
- Health Minister Nina Warken said she will present a first draft to reform the social long‑term care insurance by mid‑May, starting a live policy process.
- Families must bridge large gaps because Germany’s mandatory care insurance covers only part of expenses, with nursing‑home residents paying an average €3,245 a month in the first year before social assistance steps in once assets are spent down.
- The private insurers’ association proposed a single per‑grade care budget and raised scrapping the relief amount for Grade 1, a shift that would remove one of the few supports for people with mild needs at home.