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Patient advocates warn against letting those in need of care pay collectively agreed wages
Photo:
Ute Grabowsky / imago images / photothek
The German Foundation for Patient Protection has warned against overburdening those in need of care with higher wages in the industry.
Although "dignified care" does not work without "decent wages", as foundation board member Eugen Brysch told the AFP news agency, "those in need of care can no longer pay for it out of their own pocket as before".
The care tariff loyalty law planned by Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD) could not provide an answer.
Rather, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) is required here.
"A care reform is needed that decouples rising wages from the galloping care costs of those in need," said Brysch.
Heil had previously announced a law in this legislative period.
However, such a legislative initiative actually falls within the remit of the Minister of Health.
Spahn called it "sad" that Heil had proposed its own law.
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United on the matter, separated in the election campaign: Health Minister Jens Spahn (left, CDU) and Labor Minister Hubertus Heil (SPD)
Photo:
HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / AFP
He pointed out that his department had already made a proposal weeks ago for regular collective wage payments in inpatient and outpatient care for the elderly.
In contrast to Heils Plan, the interests of those in need of care would also be taken into account.
Both designs would, however, be very similar.
Spahn criticizes Heil's "maneuver"
Spahn said that Heil's advance was not known to his ministry.
The subject is far too important "to be linked to such maneuvers," he criticized.
A lot of speed is currently being made on the subject of climate protection, the nursing staff "deserved just as much speed," said Spahn.
The Verdi union criticized the coalition dispute.
Heil's draft provides for collectively agreed wages as a condition for billing with long-term care insurance.
As reported by "Bild am Sonntag", Heil wrote: "Operators of care facilities only get money from long-term care insurance if they pay their employees collective wages."
However, as emerges from a “working draft” by the Ministry of Health from mid-March, from 2022 supply contracts will only be concluded with care facilities that pay according to collective agreements or similar.
In order to relieve those in need of care, they should receive supplements.
The personal share for pure care could fall by 25 percent in the second year in the home, by 50 percent in the third year and by 75 percent from the fourth year onwards.
So far, however, the proportion of people in need of care has been increasing for years.
On average, they are 2068 euros per month, according to data from the Association of Substitute Funds from January 1st.
There are, however, major regional differences.
Long-term care insurance, unlike health insurance, only bears part of the costs.
For home residents, however, there are additional costs for accommodation, food and also for investments in the facilities.
hba / AFP / dpa
