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It is the last afternoon of the fall session. While the first bottles of white wine are beheaded in the Federal Palace and departing parliamentarians hand out farewell gifts to their political comrades, some national council members are still pondering a draft proposal. It should be tabled this evening – just in time for the end of the 51st legislative term. The motion, signed by health politicians from the ranks of the Center Party, the FDP and the SVP, contains explosive material. The title is: “For quality healthcare networks with affordable premiums: relaxation of contractual requirements”.
It’s about the big topic of the past three weeks: the healthcare system. This is badly damaged and becomes more expensive every year. The insured feel the consequences in their wallets. Healthcare premiums will rise by an average of 8.7 percent next year.
The fault is in the system
“What we need now is liberation,” said Andri Silberschmidt (29), Zurich’s FDP national councilor. The proposal he submitted states: “The cornerstone of the current health insurance law and the driving force behind the premium increase is the obligation to conclude contracts.” The fault lies in the system with its false incentives. In short: whoever does more therapy, earns more.
That’s why a radical paradigm shift should help now: doctors and hospitals should no longer make money based on the amount of treatment they provide – but only if people stay healthy. “To achieve this, insurers must form healthcare networks with service providers that guarantee the best care for patients.”
SVP Councilor Thomas de Courten (57) also signed the motion. He is convinced that this change in the law can save costs. Anyone who bills incorrectly or prescribes therapies that have no effect should be excluded from insurers in the future. “These black sheep must be eliminated from the contractual obligation.”
SP speaks of ‘hyperactivism’
FMH chairman Yvonne Gilli (66) does not think this is a good idea. Abolishing the contractual obligation is an ‘evergreen’, but she thinks the current proposal is ‘half-baked’. For example, it is unclear what is planned for hospitals that have a service mandate from the canton. Moreover, the motion is based on false assumptions, Gilli says: “The contract obligation has no influence on the amount of the premiums.” She locates the reason for the rising costs, among other things, in new, more expensive therapies in the service catalog and in the increase in outpatient treatments, which those who pay the premiums have to fully pay for.
SP health politician Flavia Wasserfallen (44) also announces opposition to the abolition of mandatory contracts. The Bernese candidate for the Council of States describes the initiative as ‘hyperactivism’ intended to divert attention from the real problems. Citizens have not been able to take effective measures against cost growth in parliament for four years.
Lorenz Hess (62) of the Center Party, who, like Silberschmidt and de Courten, is a member of the Health Committee of the National Council, is concerned with the principle: “It is time for us to put the matter on the table again.”
About a decade ago, the nation rejected the so-called managed care law, which was aimed in a similar direction. Now that costs are skyrocketing, the time is right. Hess: “The goal should be that service providers who notoriously overtreat will no longer kiss hands.”
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
