Eastern Switzerland St. Gallen government in favor of converting the hospitals into a public limited company
The St. Gallen government has spoken out in favor of transforming the hospitals from a public-law institution into a public limited company. According to a response to a motion, it intends to submit a corresponding draft to the cantonal council by 2033.
04.07.2024, 16:59
SDA
In its response, the government states that any public limited company must pursue public purposes. The shares must be owned by the public sector.
The cantonal council had already decided in April that the current four St. Gallen hospital associations would be merged into one hospital association at the beginning of 2025. The hospital association needs sufficient time to take this step before another major reorganization takes place. The government is therefore requesting that the draft for the transfer to a public limited company not be submitted as early as 2030, but rather in 2033.
The resources available in the Healthcare Office are currently required in full for hospital planning projects, the introduction of uniform financing of outpatient and inpatient services or for complaints and tariff procedures.
Civic parties signaled support
The motion will be discussed by the Cantonal Council at one of its upcoming meetings. Civic parties have already signaled their support.
The motion originates from the preliminary advisory committee on the "Supplement to the law on hospital networks". It demands that, in addition to the hospital association, the hospital facility company, the center for laboratory medicine and the psychiatric association should each be transferred to a public limited company.
