2024-07-20 01:17:32
The burden on those in need of care and their families has been increasing for years. The Federal Minister of Health wants to remedy the situation – and is planning a new regulation for the autumn.
In view of the increasing financial burden on those in need of care and their families, Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is considering an upper limit for the amount of costs that patients have to pay themselves. The SPD politician told the ARD capital studio: “We need to get to the point where we might work with an upper limit for the amount that patients have to pay themselves. We are currently looking into this.” They are also investigating how investment costs could be borne more by the states. “The states are not doing enough in this regard. This falls on the feet of the insured, the people who need care,” said Lauterbach.
Despite cost controls, the personal contribution continues to rise, according to an evaluation by the Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds. As of July 1, the national average monthly out-of-pocket costs in the first year in the home were 2,871 euros – that was 211 euros more than in mid-2023. The reasons for the higher costs are increased energy and food costs as well as higher wages for nursing staff. The burden also increases with increased relief supplements, which are based on the length of stay in the home. Calls for further relief are therefore becoming louder before the 2025 federal election.
Lauterbach also pointed out that the personal contributions fall when people in need of care have to be cared for in hospital for several years. “But then there is still a lot left over,” said the health minister. “For new people in need of care, some of whom only live in care for one or two years, this is of course a heavy burden. We will come up with a regulation for this in the autumn,” said Lauterbach. The minister did not say how high the upper limit for the personal contribution should be in his view.