الخميس، 23 نوفمبر 2023
In future, people imprisoned in Switzerland who are not resident here will have to take out health insurance. This should ensure that all prisoners are treated equally in medical terms. The Federal Council wants to amend the Health Insurance Act (KVG) accordingly.
On Wednesday, he submitted his proposals for consultation until March 7, 2024. Inmates should pay the premiums themselves; the cantons can reduce the premiums if necessary. Compulsory insurance should make healthcare costs more predictable for the cantons.
The cantons should be able to insure prisoners under framework contracts and agree special forms of insurance with health insurers that are accessible to prisoners. Cantons should also be able to restrict the choice of insurer and form of insurance for all inmates, regardless of their place of residence.
According to the Federal Council, this approach should reduce costs at the expense of the community. It should also reduce the administrative burden.
According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) from 2021 cited by the Federal Council, around a third of all prisoners are not covered by basic insurance, i.e. around 2,000 people. Because they are not resident in Switzerland, they are currently not obliged to join a health insurance fund.
The cantons have to pay for the healthcare costs of these people. The financing of medical care in prisons is not regulated uniformly in the cantons. At present, the costs are borne by justice or penal institutions, the health authorities or the communal social welfare authorities.
Responsibility for the health of detainees lies with the state, as the Federal Council makes clear. Prisoners are entitled to the same medical treatment as people at liberty, regardless of their residence permit or nationality.
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