Cuts to long-term care budgets postponed to after 2027

A planned 171 million euro reduction in long-term care spending will not take effect in 2027, after Long-Term Care Minister Sterk postponed the measure and shifted funding within her own budget to comply with a narrow parliamentary majority demanding the cuts be dropped, NU.nl reports.

Sterk informed the Tweede Kamer in a letter that the government will temporarily halt the reduction plan, which was originally scheduled to take effect next year. The measure is part of a broader set of austerity agreements made under the Rutte IV and Schoof cabinets. The Jetten cabinet also announced additional cuts, bringing total planned reductions to roughly 0.5 billion euros.

Sterk said she has identified alternative funding within her budget to delay the disability care cuts for at least one year. At the same time, she plans to consult with the sector to establish longer-term administrative agreements.

At the start of the current minority government, the Tweede Kamer urged the cabinet to eliminate all planned cuts. A narrow majority argued that disability care is a vulnerable sector where they should not make any further reductions. A motion submitted by the ChristenUnie passed in March by a single vote.

To cover the 171 million euro gap, Sterk will instead adjust the tariffs that healthcare institutions, including nursing homes, are allowed to charge. These tariffs had been scheduled to rise next year so providers could strengthen their financial reserves, with much of the cost intended to be borne by the government.

ChristenUnie parliamentary leader Mirjam Bikker welcomed the move. “These people deserve our support, disability care must not become a budget item. Now the rest of the cuts!” she wrote on X.