The black-red coalition is considering raising the contribution surcharge for childless people in long-term care insurance by 0.1 percentage points to 0.7 percent. Health Minister Nina Warken (CDU) is pushing the idea.
The measure aims to stabilize the finances of the statutory long-term care insurance. Members without children already pay a higher rate than parents.
The German Trade Union Confederation criticized the proposal as discrimination and punishment. A lawsuit before the Federal Constitutional Court is considered possible.
The court ruled in 2001 that parents must not be burdened with the same contribution as childless people.