German care insurance overhaul draws sharp criticism

Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) has presented a reform of Germany's long‑term care insurance that would raise contributions, delay payments to nursing‑home residents and reduce pension accrual for family caregivers. The plan also shifts a larger share of financing to municipalities and requires greater personal savings from insured persons.

Opposition figures have denounced the proposal. AfD parliamentary leader Jörg Urban warned that "the reform would lower pension entitlements for caring relatives". DGB chief Yasmin Fahimi called it a "destruction reform" and an "austerity package at the expense of the insured and care‑dependent". Municipal leaders, such as Leipzig mayor Burkhard Jung, said the changes would impose a heavy financial burden on local governments. Critics argue the measures would push care‑dependent individuals and their families into debt.

The reform has ignited a broader debate over the sustainability of the care system and the balance between cost containment and support for caregivers, with unions and opposition parties demanding more capital funding and incentives for private supplementary insurance instead of cuts.