Central Switzerland wants accessible and affordable healthcare
Published: Saturday, Sep 7th 2024, 13:00
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At its delegates' meeting this Saturday in Wettingen AG, Mitte Schweiz adopted a manifesto for accessible and affordable healthcare for all. It voted in favor of the amendment to the Health Insurance Act, which will be put to a popular vote in November.
Yvonne Bürgin, National Councillor from the center of Zurich, and Vincent Maitre, National Councillor from the center of Geneva, presented the manifesto with seven points. This stipulates that pharmacists and specially trained nursing staff should relieve the burden on doctors in primary care. GP models should be promoted and there should be more cooperation across cantonal borders.
The manifesto also calls for the opportunities offered by digitalization to be systematically exploited, for cost control to be improved through greater transparency, for the reimbursement of medicines to be reconsidered and for patients to be empowered.
Save 20 percent without loss of quality
The savings potential has actually been known for a long time, according to the manifesto. According to an expert report by the federal government, eight billion francs or 20 percent of the costs of compulsory health insurance could be saved without any loss of quality, simply by avoiding waste and inefficiency.
Due to a lack of coordination, there is a lot of duplication in care. Reducing overpriced tariffs and medicine prices would avoid false incentives for unnecessary treatment.
Breaking the deadlock in healthcare policy
In a panel discussion, experts gave their opinions on how the current deadlock in Swiss healthcare policy can be resolved. "We are working to ensure that insured persons do not have to pay premiums that are too high," said Philomena Colatrella (CEO of health insurer CSS). This includes good monitoring of invoices to prevent abuse.
Josef Widler, former President of the Zurich Medical Association, advised that prospective doctors should first complete a longer nursing internship before starting their training. This could reduce the number of people dropping out later on.
Karin Stadelmann (lecturer in palliative care) said that prevention and personal responsibility could work well in Switzerland; this can be seen in the example of dentistry. Martin Pfister (Director of Health Zug) advised more regional planning. "If I want good care, I have to think beyond cantonal borders."
Unanimous yes to Efas
On Saturday, the delegates' meeting unanimously voted in favor of the uniform financing of healthcare services (Efas). On November 24, the Swiss electorate will decide on the necessary amendment to the Health Insurance Act. Efas is intended to create an incentive for a shift from inpatient to outpatient treatment and thus curb the rise in premiums.
Today, inpatient treatment is paid for by the cantons and health insurance companies, while outpatient treatment is covered solely by health insurance companies. The bill originates from a 2009 proposal by former Aargau Central National Councillor Ruth Humbel.
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