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The canton of Geneva is suffering from rising health insurance premiums. Next year the increase will be 9.1 percent. On Thursday evening, the Grand Council adopted an explosive proposal. The canton of Geneva could establish Switzerland’s first public health insurer.
Among the numerous proposals from the different parties, two proposals were adopted. First of all, the Federal Assembly is called upon to create a legal basis for the establishment of cantonal health insurers and cantonal compensation funds.
The second proposal comes from the party of Minister of Health Pierre Maudet (45). The goal is to establish a public cantonal health insurance company. This would then compete with private players. An idea that could theoretically already be implemented with the current law. Now the State Council must write a report on their risks and opportunities.
A rare consensus
Except for the SVP and the FDP, all parties supported the two proposals. Maudet himself is pleased that the proposals have not been referred back to a committee, “which happens extremely rarely.” This shows the urgency of the problem. ‘The status quo is no longer possible. Action must be taken.”
But there are also doubting voices. Marc Saudan, MP from Maudet’s party, stressed that “a public fund will not necessarily reduce costs.” Then why are they necessary? Maudet answers: “The first task of a public fund is to obtain transparency and therefore control. Once we have control, we can work on costs. This cash register has no magical effect. It is one of many instruments.” Other measures should be examined in parallel, such as hospitals or drug prices.
No time horizon is mentioned
The FDP MPs, who rejected both proposals, raised the question of whether a public fund could inherit all serious cases. This would quickly put a strain on their finances. But Maudet doesn’t believe that. “The current system already corrects this phenomenon through a compensation system between insurers. So regulatory mechanisms are possible.”
When asked about a possible temporal perspective, Pierre Maudet could not provide a date or even a time horizon. The introduction of this public fund will be investigated as soon as possible. The standstill won’t last long.
Source:Blick
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