Two new Flash Reports prepared by the European Social Policy Network (ESPN) are now available. and provide information on the German Health Ministry’s plan to reform the country’s long-term care system , as well as on recent social measures taken in Luxembourg.

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• As long-term care insurance in Germany covers only part of the long-term care costs, a considerable share of the costs often needs to be paid privately (especially in the case of residential care). Against this background, in October 2020 the Federal Minister of Health presented a plan to reform the country’s long-term care system. Reactions to this plan vary widely: while the statutory health insurance funds welcomed it, the plan was criticised by private health insurance companies and employers’ associations. Welfare and patient organisations consider the proposals insufficient, as did several political parties.

• The Luxembourg Government announced a number of social measures at the end of November 2020. These include an increase in the minimum wage as well as in the minimum income and the “high-cost-of-living” allowance. An extension of the flexible reduced-working-hours regulation and the implementation of new services by the National Health Fund were also announced.

* The ESPN Flash Reports reflect the views only of the authors, and the European Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information they contain.