Coalition disputes burden on children of parents in need of care

The federal government's care commissioner, Katrin Staffler (CSU), has now spoken out against the complete removal of the threshold in a conversation with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND). "I would consider it wrong to completely lift the threshold again," said Staffler. It is about a fair distribution of burdens, which is why one must discuss the right level of exempted income.

Position of the care commissioner

Staffler pointed to the special situation of family members: "We must recognise that children are burdened by their parents' need for care anyway." At the same time, she expressed confidence that the high burden on caregiving relatives could be reduced. The goal is "that people receive the care they actually need." Counselling and support would be expanded.

Federal Health Minister Warken is meanwhile sticking to her plan to overturn the 100,000-euro threshold. The corresponding repeal is to take place in a separate procedure according to the draft. Responsibility within the ministry for changes to the Relatives Relief Act (Angehörigenentlastungsgesetz) would, following a change at the top of the Social Ministry, lie with Bärbel Bas (SPD) as the successor to Hubertus Heil (SPD).

Financial situation of the statutory care insurance

Financially, the statutory care insurance is under considerable pressure according to Staffler's information. "In the next two years alone, more than 20 billion euros must be saved in order to keep the care insurance able to act, with a volume of around 70 billion euros annually," she said. She described the reform task as a "squaring of the circle" in view of rising costs and limited resources.

Even beforehand, ministers from the opposition and from the ranks of the SPD had criticised Warken's plans. Within the coalition itself, the projects are also being discussed controversially. The average personal contributions that those in need of care must bear themselves in the first year of their stay in a care home nationwide amounted most recently to 3,245 euros per month.

Debate over the "Pflege-Bahr"

The coalition is also negotiating on the future distribution of burdens with a view to the state-subsidised private supplementary long-term care insurance. Staffler called on Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) to submit a reform of the "Pflege-Bahr" subsidy. "The previous 'Pflege-Bahr' is a flop," she said. The current subsidy amounts to a maximum of 5 euros per month.

Staffler emphasised that the care reform cannot be accomplished with piecemeal measures. "You won't get there with small stuff. Everyone has to contribute their share," she said. At the same time, she made clear that she is counting on support from the Finance Ministry: "But the Finance Ministry is responsible. From there I hope for the necessary support."

The regulation introduced in 2019 under the then black-red federal government was intended to protect caregiving relatives from incalculable financial risks. The then Federal Social Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) had justified the law by arguing that the need for care is emotionally and organisationally burdensome and that relatives must at least be protected from incalculable financial risks.

How the coalition will resolve the conflict is currently open. According to Staffler's words, the issue is to be further deliberated in the ongoing legislative process, although she did not name a specific amount for the income to be exempted in the future. Counselling and support for those affected is also to be part of the planned Care Reorganisation Act.