The statutory health insurance funds have called on federal and state governments to contribute more to the costs of nursing homes. Oliver Blatt, chairman of the GKV-Spitzenverband, stated that this could reduce the monthly costs for nursing home residents by an average of 500 euros. Blatt expressed his views in the "Rheinische Post" and described the situation as the greatest challenge for long-term care insurance since its introduction 31 years ago.
Blatt criticized the federal states for refusing to cover the investment costs in nursing homes. "If they fulfilled their responsibilities here, all nursing home residents could be relieved by an average of around 500 euros per month immediately," he explained. He also pointed out that the federal government still owes five billion euros in COVID-related debts to long-term care insurance.
Federal Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) had previously warned of an impending financial gap in long-term care insurance amounting to 22.5 billion euros over the next two years. By mid-May, she plans to present proposals for a reform of long-term care to alleviate the financial distress of the funds. Blatt emphasized that long-term care insurance is a central component of social security and its performance must be maintained.
The situation is extremely difficult, as long-term care insurance must spend more money than it receives. "The residents' own contributions have already reached their limit," Blatt continued. He called for a comprehensive reform to ensure the financial stability of long-term care insurance.
