Health insurance premiums Zurich government does not want a cantonal health insurance fund
The Zurich cantonal government does not think much of the idea of a cantonal health insurance fund. Health insurance premiums are so high because of the amount of services received - not because of marketing, advertising and high wages.
12.09.2024, 13:41
SDA
Cantonal councillors from the Greens, SP and AL demand in a motion that the people of Zurich should have a choice: They should either be able to insure themselves with one of the many private health insurance companies or with a public one.
According to the cantonal councillors, a cantonal health insurance company could concentrate on its core tasks. Advertising and marketing should be omitted and salaries should be aligned with the cantonal function levels. This could lead to relevant cost savings, they stated in their motion.
The cantonal government takes a different view. The main cost drivers of health insurance premiums are not administrative costs, but the volume of services purchased. These cost drivers would not be reduced by a cantonal health insurance scheme.
Taxpayers would have to bear the risk
It would also distort competition if the risks of a health insurance company had to be borne by the canton or taxpayers. However, this would be the case because a "lean" cantonal health insurance fund would not be allowed to build up any reserves.
In order to support residents with the premium burden, the government prefers to rely on premium reductions. This has been expanded in recent years.
The motion will now go to the cantonal council. It will decide whether or not the cantonal government must draw up such a bill against its will. A similar motion is also pending in the city of Zurich, where it was submitted by the Greens.
65 percent in favor of abolishing the current health insurance scheme
A state health insurance fund has also been discussed at national level. In a referendum in 2014, however, voters rejected the introduction of a state health insurance fund.
However, a representative survey conducted in June of this year showed that 65% of Swiss people are now in favor of abolishing the current health insurance system, mainly due to rising premiums.
