Political parties Mitte Schweiz wants accessible and affordable healthcare
At its delegates' meeting 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 (Efas).
07.09.2024, 13:11
07.09.2024, 13:12
SDA
Yvonne Bürgin, a member of the National Council from the center of Zurich, and Vincent Maitre, a member of the National Council 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 medication to be reconsidered and for patient empowerment to be strengthened.
Save 20 percent without sacrificing 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.
Because there is 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 blockade in Swiss healthcare policy can be resolved. "We are working to ensure that insured persons do not have to pay excessively high premiums," 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 was demonstrated by 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
The delegates' meeting on Saturday unanimously voted in favor of the uniform financing of healthcare services (Efas). The Swiss electorate will vote on November 24 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.
At present, inpatient treatment is paid for by the cantons and health insurance companies, while outpatient treatment is covered solely by health insurance companies. The bill stems from a 2009 proposal by former Aargau Central National Councillor Ruth Humbel.
