German health and care reform criticised as budget cuts to patients and workers

The federal government’s recent health and long‑term‑care reform, promoted as a future‑proof overhaul, has drawn sharp criticism for prioritising spending cuts over genuine structural change. Critics argue that the plan would reduce services for patients, increase burdens on caregivers and threaten the financing of key health professions such as physiotherapy, psychotherapy and nursing. One commentator described the reform as "a Mogelpackung" – a misleading package that substitutes cuts for real reform.

The debate also focuses on the fiscal approach, with opponents urging the coalition to raise revenue rather than trim contributions from low‑income earners. Proposals include mandatory statutory care‑insurance for civil servants, raising the contribution ceiling, and moving toward a unified, solidarity‑based health insurance system. The reforms are seen as risking higher unemployment among health workers, reduced access to care and a reversal of recent gains in the German health sector.