Mitte President criticizes cost explosion in the healthcare sector
Published: Saturday, May 25th 2024, 14:20
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In his speech at the party's delegates' meeting, Center Party President Gerhard Pfister criticized the explosion in healthcare costs. He also denounced the "discrimination" against married couples in the AHV.
In his speech to around 160 delegates in Arbedo TI, the Zug National Councillor said that the centrist initiative for a "cost brake in the healthcare system" had a "good chance". "The population is of the opinion that the healthcare system is no longer capable of reforming itself," said Pfister.
He pointed out that the online comparison service Comparis recently predicted a further average increase in premiums of 6 percent. This is well above the long-term average of 3.8 percent. "Targeted measures could save up to six billion Swiss francs a year without any loss of quality," said Pfister.
He said no to the SP's premium relief initiative. "For our party, the initiative goes too far, but it is clear that premium reductions are important for the social balance," explained Pfister. The party therefore supports the Federal Council's indirect counter-proposal.
Pfister also commented on the "discrimination" of married couples with regard to AHV, as they receive a maximum of 150% of the total amount, while unmarried couples receive two full pensions: The centrist initiative, he said, wanted to finally eliminate this discrimination.
Clear yes to the Electricity Act
The delegates' meeting also unanimously approved the Electricity Act, which will be put to the vote on June 9. The delegates supported the amendment to the law on a secure electricity supply with renewable energies by 155 votes to 2 with 2 abstentions.
Fabio Regazzi, member of the Council of States for Ticino, explained to the delegates that the amendment to the Electricity Act was important because Switzerland "is not in a position to produce the energy it needs independently and that its dependence on foreign countries is expensive and not without risks".
The delegates also decided to vote against the biodiversity initiative. The initiative will be put to the vote on September 22. 102 delegates spoke out against the initiative, 40 in favor and 17 abstained.
The delegates' vote was preceded by a lively discussion in which Christina Bachmann-Roth, among others, defended the center-women's yes to the initiative. St. Gallen National Councillor Markus Ritter, President of the Swiss Farmers' Association (SBV), explained the counter-arguments.
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