The Social Security and Health Commission of the Council of State (SGK-S) rejected a sharp increase in premium cuts by 9 to 4 votes, the parliamentary services announced on Friday. In the context of the indirect counter-proposal against the SP’s premium deduction initiative, the National Council decided in the summer to increase the existing premium reduction by more than two billion francs.
The SGK-S also agrees in principle to a counter-proposal. However, she wants to stick with the Federal Council’s more cost-effective solution. According to the Council of States, the cantons should now spend at least 5 to 7.5 percent of the cantonal costs of health insurance on the premium reduction. A minority argued in favor of a variant with a minimum amount between 4.5 and 7.5 percent.
No requirements for the amount of the premium
According to the proposal of the SGK-S, the amount should depend on how much the premiums burden the budget of the insured in a canton. This new requirement would result in additional costs for the cantons of approximately CHF 493 million.
In addition, the cantons would have to redetermine the maximum share of the premiums that may constitute the disposable income of the insured. Contrary to the version of the National Council, however, no requirements may be imposed on contributions or income.
No increase in the federal contribution
Households that are overburdened by the premium increase can already benefit from the premium discount. The federal government has been increasing its premiums in line with health costs since 2011, Health Minister Alain Berset (50) said recently when he announced the increase in health insurance premiums for next year. However, a number of cantons failed to do so or even reduced their contributions.
The SGK-S does not want to hear about an urgent increase of the federal contribution for individual premium reductions by thirty percent, which has been approved by the National Council. With 8 votes in favour, 4 against and 1 abstention, the committee proposes that a center-left alliance reject the corresponding motions.
The requested increase in the short term would mean high additional expenditure for the federal government, while the question is how it could be implemented in the cantons, the majority argued. However, according to the plans of the National Council, the increase should serve to absorb inflation. (SDA)