German nursing care reform faces last-minute backlash before cabinet review

Andreas Storm, head of DAK-Gesundheit, has called for a delay to the government’s planned nursing care reform. He demands the current draft legislation be withdrawn and rewritten. The reform is set for cabinet review next Monday, but its timeline now looks uncertain. Storm argues the proposals would push many care-dependent individuals into welfare dependency. He estimates half of those in residential care could be affected. He also warns that cuts to inpatient care funding would shift costs onto municipalities.

The draft bill, led by Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU), includes spending caps and new revenue measures to prevent contribution increases. Storm additionally highlights that reducing family caregiver contributions would cost the pension fund €1.8 billion each year.

He urges the government to revise the reform over the summer, alongside its pension overhaul. His concerns centre on financial stability and the impact on vulnerable groups. The nursing care reform faces growing opposition. Storm’s proposals would require significant changes to the current draft. The government must now decide whether to proceed or rework the plans before cabinet review.