Gesundheitspolitik: Pflegereform beschlossen – auf was sich die Koalition auf den letzten Metern geeinigt hat

Berlin – After days of conflict, the federal government has reached an agreement on a nursing reform. The so-called Nursing Reform Act (PNOG) proposed by Health Minister Carsten Linnemann (CDU) was approved by the cabinet on Wednesday. According to the cabinet's draft, the legislation is expected to relieve the nursing insurance by €6.25 billion in the coming year.

However, the health ministry forecasts a deficit of €7.6 billion for 2027. The Union and SPD intend to stabilize the nursing insurance mainly through higher contributions from non-parents and savings on nursing services. Nonetheless, the coalition partners have postponed fundamental disagreements to a commission. Linnemann expressed his joy upon the agreement on Wednesday afternoon, stating, "I am glad that we have taken the first major step today" following the cabinet session.

The Union and SPD finally agreed, primarily on the procedural aspects of the legislation in the long-running negotiations. Only minor amendments were made to the draft itself. A commission is to be established next week to discuss further reforms, with proposals due by the end of January 2027. The federal government aims to implement the new regulations by July 1, 2027.