Germany's nursing home subsidy cuts spark outrage over rising resident costs

Initial calculations by the Federal Association of Private Social Service Providers (BPA), reported by Germany's Editorial Network (RND) in its Friday editions, reveal that under Health Minister Karl Lauterbach's plans, out-of-pocket costs for nursing home residents would rise by up to €1,800 on average nationwide over the first two years of their stay. The two-year period was selected because three-quarters of all people in residential care do not remain in a nursing home beyond that time.

Lauterbach intends to slow the phased increases in subsidies that residents receive—based on length of stay—to reduce their personal contributions. BPA President Bernd Meurer sharply criticized the proposal, noting that those in need of care and their families are already struggling with high co-payments.

"The minister has repeatedly promised that this reform would provide relief," Meurer told the newspapers, "and her coalition partner, the SPD, even campaigned on a pledge to cap out-of-pocket costs at €1,000." Now, he argued, Lauterbach is shifting billions in costs onto care-dependent individuals and their families. "This borders on voter deception: relief was promised, but the result is more financial strain," Meurer lamented.