Berset on healthcare costs: ‘It’s going in the wrong direction everywhere’

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Health care costs have already exceeded expectations this year, the federal council member, who is due to step down in December, said in an interview with Tamedia published Friday.

In addition to health care costs, health insurers also lost CHF 1.8 billion on the financial markets last year. “Everything is going in the wrong direction.” The health insurers had therefore discussed a premium increase of eight to nine percent for 2024.

“Cartel of Silence” unacceptable

In an interview, the Minister of Health criticized the cantons and interest groups in the health sector: the situation with regard to premium cuts was unsatisfactory and the ‘cartel of silence’ in health care reforms was unacceptable. The interest groups help each other to avoid cost-cutting reforms, Berset said. “Everyone is defending their piece of the 45 billion pie.” Even when it comes to premium reductions, the differences between the cantons are too great.

According to Berset, the Federal Council has only limited options for health care, which is the responsibility of the cantons. The corona pandemic has led to extraordinary costs and insurers’ losses in 2022 have reduced reserves.

Berset, however, came out firmly against the abolition of compulsory health insurance, as recently called into question by Zurich health director Natalie Rickli. “If we got rid of them, we’d have a two-class drug,” Berset said.

Source:Blick