Germany's Health Minister Urges Reform Amid Surging Nursing Home Costs

The escalating costs of nursing home care in Germany have prompted Federal Health Minister Nina Warken to call for measures to reduce co-payments. She emphasizes the need for federal states to reassess the investment and construction costs associated with care facilities.

Warken critiques the current practice of passing these costs onto residents and suggests loosening strict building regulations to make care more affordable. The average monthly cost for residents has surpassed 3,100 Euros, driven by rising personnel and living expenses.

Highlighting a systemic imbalance between income and expenditure in Social Long-Term Care Insurance, Warken insists on urgent reforms. She proposes increasing state funding and advocates for a stronger role of private insurance, acknowledging that public insurance will only cover part of the costs.

Chancellor's Office Minister Thorsten Frei echoes this sentiment, reminding citizens of the necessity for private provision in care planning.