Home healthcare costs rise by 500 percent in some cities

Now that the municipalities are in charge of healthcare, home healthcare or guidance counselling can cost hundreds of euros a month more for people with an average or higher income or people with an equity, the Volkskrant reported on Tuesday. The municipalities took over the responsibility of caring for vulnerable people from the government on January 1st of this year. The municipalities received a quarter less budget and residents need to do more for themselves and contribute to costs according to their means. Before this happened all clients were paying 14.20 euros an hour for home care and counseling. In the new system, many municipalities charge amounts over 70 euros per hour. There are large differences per region, some municipalities charge 20 euros or less. According to the newspaper, the consequences are only now becoming clear because many people still paid the old rates this year due to a transitional arrangement. The higher charges are affecting people with average incomes and people with, for example, an inherited house most. The government set limits on monthly personal contribution for people with low incomes.