German nursing care reform faces delay as industry leader demands major revisions

Andreas Storm, head of DAK-Gesundheit, has urged the government to delay the planned nursing care reform. He argues the current draft needs major revisions before proceeding. The reform is set for cabinet review next Monday under a draft bill from Health Minister Nina Warken. Storm called for the withdrawal of the existing proposal. He believes it should be reworked over the summer, alongside the pension overhaul.

He warned that the reform could push 50 percent of residential care recipients into welfare dependency. A large number of care-dependent individuals would then rely on state support. Storm also highlighted financial risks, stating that cuts to family caregiver contributions would cost the pension fund €1.8 billion each year.

Additionally, he cautioned that reductions in inpatient care funding would shift the burden onto municipalities. Government sources have since suggested that the original cabinet review timeline may no longer be realistic. The reform faces growing opposition due to its potential financial and social impacts. Storm’s proposals include a full revision of the draft to address these concerns. The cabinet review, initially planned for next Monday, may now be postponed.