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Commission to develop reform proposals by early 2027

Bremen care economist Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang, head of the Health, Long-Term Care and Pensions Department at the SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy at the University of Bremen, is a member of the new Commission on Long-Term Care Structures (Pflegestrukturkommission). The commission was set up on 14 October 2026 by the German federal government under the lead responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Health, with the task of developing proposals for reforming the statutory long-term care insurance scheme.

Financing the statutory long-term care insurance has been one of the most pressing health policy problems for years and is therefore also one of the central fields of action of the current legislative term. A cabinet draft of the Long-Term Care Restructuring Act (PNOG) is now available, which is due to come into force in January 2027. However, it can only provide short-term relief for the financing problems of the statutory long-term care insurance. To stabilise it over the long term, structural reform is needed. To shape this reform, the new commission is to analyse the development of expenditure in the statutory and private long-term care insurance schemes and develop recommendations, particularly with regard to financing, care provision, and preventive and rehabilitative measures.

The first proposals are to be presented at the end of January 2027. “Time is extremely tight and the need for action is great. For years we have been calling for fundamental reform of long-term care and, based on our research, have put forward various proposals. There is no lack of ideas, only of political will so far. I hope that with the new Commission on Long-Term Care Structures we can finally take the necessary steps towards the long-term stabilisation of the statutory long-term care insurance and an improvement in care provision,” says Prof. Rothgang.

 

Link for the press release of the federal government:

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang
SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 3
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-58557
E-Mail: rothgang@uni-bremen.de

8 an 9 October 2026, Bremen

On October 8 and 9, 2026, the Scientific Advisory Board of SOCIUM met at Domshof in Bremen. Following academic discussions with the university Executive Board and the Spokesperson, SOCIUM's research groups and networks presented their current core research areas. A poster presentation was held in the Banking Hall at Domshof, which fostered academic exchange and networking.

The advisory board gives support to the management as regards the setting up and implementing of the scientific program of the SOCIUM and makes recommendations. It comments on the results of the research projects. As a general rule the advisory board meets every two years. At its regular meetings and on the basis of an comprehensive report, an evaluation of the work of the SOCIUM takes place and is reported to the rector.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Simone Scherger
SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 5
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-58569
E-Mail: simone.scherger@uni-bremen.de

Dr. Dieter Wolf
SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 3
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-58641
E-Mail: diwolf@uni-bremen.de

Diskussionsrunde mit Prof. Du Peng und Prof. Lu Jiehua von der School of Population and Health der Renmin University of China und dem Team von Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang

Das SOCIUM hat sich sehr gefreut, Prof. Du Peng und Prof. Lu Jiehua von der School of Population and Health der Renmin University of China in Bremen begrüßen zu dürfen. Der dreitägige Besuch bot Gelegenheit für einen intensiven wissenschaftlichen Austausch zu Fragen der Pflege, Gesundheit und alternden Gesellschaften.

Im Mittelpunkt des Programms stand eine Diskussionsrunde am SOCIUM mit dem Team um Prof. Dr. Heinz Rothgang. Dabei wurden aktuelle Arbeitsschwerpunkte der Abteilung - Personalbemessung und Digitalisierung in der Pflege, sowie Forschungsarbeiten im Zusammenhang mit TCall - vorgestellt. Der Austausch machte deutlich, wie ähnlich die Fragestellungen und wie relevant internationale Perspektiven für die Weiterentwicklung der Pflege- und Versorgungsforschung sind.

Weitere Programmpunkte waren die Besuche des SkillsLab an der Hochschule Bremen, des Bremen Ambient Assisted Living Lab (BAALL) sowie der Senioreneinrichtung St. Franziskus. Dort erhielten die Gäste Einblicke in innovative Ansätze der akademischen Pflegeausbildung, in digitale Assistenzsysteme für ein selbstbestimmtes Leben im Alter sowie in die Auswirkungen der praktischen Transferarbeit von TCall für die Versorgung älterer Menschen.

Auch der persönliche Austausch kam nicht zu kurz: Bei einem Spaziergang durch die Bremer Altstadt und gemeinsamen Gesprächen bot sich die Möglichkeit, die wissenschaftliche Zusammenarbeit weiter zu vertiefen.

Der Besuch von Prof. Du Peng und Prof. Lu Jiehua war für das SOCIUM eine große Ehre und unterstreicht die Bedeutung internationaler Kooperationen angesichts der Herausforderungen des demografischen Wandels.

Contact:
Thomas Kalwitzki
SOCIUM Research Center on Inequality and Social Policy
Mary-Somerville-Straße 3
28359 Bremen
Phone: +49 421 218-58544
E-Mail: thomas.kalwitzki@uni-bremen.de