Abolish care level 1? That would be a sensible reform!

The Federal Chancellor steps to the lectern in the Reichstag building and speaks in a worn voice: “We will shorten the benefits of the state, promote personal responsibility and request more personal contributions from each individual.” No, that doesn’t say that Friedrich Merz (CDU), that was Gerhard Schröder (SPD) in March 22 years ago. It was the famous speech on the 2010 agenda. So far, such sentences have only been heard from the incumbent head of government. Specific plans? None.

There is currently a good example of how to concentrate the welfare state a little more on the needy. It’s about that Grade 1. In the black and red coalition in Berlin, some consider to delete it. SPD parliamentary group leader Matthias Miersch immediately categorically excluded the plan. “We won’t take anything away from people overnight,” said Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) – and was left open a back door. Politicians of both parties refer to a commission on the nursing reform, which is to present initial results in mid -October.

But what exactly is it about? Care 1 was only introduced in 2017. There people are classified there who have a “minor impairment of independence”. The most important service is a relief amount of 131 euros per month- for example for help when shopping and cleaning or for participating in leisure and sports offers.

This is all desirable. But is it really necessary? Even more: since it is an insurance benefit, it does not matter the financial need. If the classified widow and the recipient of the state basic security in old age, claim is entitled to class.

Since the introduction of care degrees 1, the number of people classified there has quadrupled to more than 800,000 people. Experts have calculated that the annual costs now add up to 1.8 billion euros. Has the independence of our seniors actually decrease or is money taken here?

So that no misunderstanding arise: this is not about abuse of performance. The medical service of the health insurance companies has examined and classified the applicants. But were our elderly mothers, fathers, aunts and uncle managed to cope before 2017? Was the introduction of a new, additional service really correct in times of increasing contribution rates and social expenditure? The black and red coalition should ask itself this question before it goes to the poor families to the citizens’ allowance.

When Friedrich Merz and his government actually at one point Personal responsibility The focus is on long -term care insurance. With a low impairment of independence, older people and their families can do the greater part of 131 euros a month. And if you are really needy, the state could still help you directly. But this is certainly about less than 1.8 billion euros a year.