Minister Touré Criticizes Government's Nursing Care Reform

Schleswig-Holstein's Social Affairs Minister Aminata Touré (Greens) has criticized Federal Health Minister Nina Warken's planned nursing care reform, viewing it as a missed opportunity. Touré told the German Press Agency that the reform neither accounts for the shortage of skilled professionals in the care sector nor the existing funding deficits. "It is bitter that the planned reform offers no relief concerning the out-of-pocket expenses for nursing care," the minister stated.

The proposed reform would impose additional annual costs of 35 to 40 million euros on Schleswig-Holstein. Touré deemed this "fatal given the budget situation and unacceptable." Warken's plans include extending the period before nursing care insurance funds cover residents' co-payments.

Criticism of Warken's reform plans has also emerged from within the governing coalition. The SPD faction described the proposal as "not a reform, but a burden package." A politician from the CSU warned of a "shift towards social welfare."