Attack on the cantons: SP demands more money for premium reductions

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Health insurance premiums have been rising for about twenty years – and each party has its own idea of ​​what needs to be done to stop the increase. The center has launched the cost reduction initiative, the SP has launched the premium reduction initiative and the FDP is pushing for a budget health insurer.

Now the SP co-presidium also holds the cantons responsible. Mattea Meyer (35) and Cédric Wermuth (37) want to emphasize their demand to increase premium reductions.

The cantons do not use their budget

Write an open letter to the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors (GDK). In it, the two National Council members call on the cantons to take their responsibility. “The health insurance premiums are capitation premiums, which means that the insured pay the same premium regardless of their income,” they write. Because low-income households feel more burdened by premiums, premium reductions have been introduced.

They are funded by the federal government and the cantons to ease the burden of those living in modest economic circumstances. This means that the premium for them is reduced. But from the comrades’ perspective, there isn’t much left to see. “This is partly because the budgets made available for premium reductions in the cantons are not fully utilized,” Meyer and Wermuth write.

Comrades see that jobs are in danger

But that’s not all: “Over the past ten years, 17 of the 26 cantons have even reduced their funding for premium reductions, taking into account premium and population growth,” the Social Democrats complain. This is to the detriment of the insured and weakens purchasing power. Due to rising premiums, households have less and less money in their wallets. And that weakens local trade and ultimately endangers employment.

That is why the SP leadership duo wants the cantons to be in control and make extra money available to reduce premiums. Only if all cantons immediately assume their responsibilities can a large part of the population – including families – be truly relieved.”

Source:Blick