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Story summary
- Welfare groups and unions, including Verdi and Caritas, urged halting planned social-spending cuts.
- The cabinet, led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz, approved a care-system reform bill last month.
- The reform raises long-term care insurance surcharges for childless employees and high-income earners.
- It aims to close an €8 billion budget gap and adds tasks for care workers.
- The law also requires a reassessment of care levels that determine benefits and services.