FDPler demands less premium discount for part-time workers

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The Confederation and the cantons pay about CHF 5.5 billion a year for the reduction of health insurance premiums. More than 2.4 million people – 28 percent of the insured – received a grant in 2020. Expenditure is likely to have increased further in the meantime.

FDP national councilor Philippe Natermod (39) is concerned about rising costs. The Valais health politician therefore wants to tighten the reins. It targets part-time workers. In a motion that has just been submitted, he argues that these should receive fewer premium discounts. Or as he puts it: only those who work at least 80 percent as individuals and at least 150 percent as couples should be given preference.

“It’s a matter of justice,” Nantermod tells Blick. Nowadays it is possible to consciously work less, live frugally and at the same time benefit from lower health insurance premiums. He thinks it’s unfair that full-income middle-class companies should subsidize such people.

«We live in a welfare society»

“Those who freely choose a lower level of employment must bear the consequences,” says the FDP man. “We live in a welfare society. But you can’t expect the general public to foot the bill.”

Nantermod also sees his initiative as a contribution to the fight against the shortage of skilled workers. “Incentives are needed to get people to work more, not less,” he emphasises. “Work must be worthwhile.”

He has a concrete suggestion for implementation: “You could simply add up the part-time income to 100 percent and then see whether there is a right to a premium discount,” says Nantermod.

There are also exceptions

However, the Wallis realizes that you can’t beat everyone on the same bar. “The individually reasonable level of employment should be appropriately taken into account depending on the individual situation of the person – for example in terms of disability or age.”

Those who involuntarily work less and look for work should not be punished. Nantermod would also provide corresponding exemptions for students. And of course there should also be exceptions for couples with children who have to meet care obligations. Incidentally, Nantermod itself has reduced its workload to 80 percent because: “I look after our son one day a week.”

Finally, it is important for him to emphasize that the point is not to reduce the total expenditure for the premium reduction, “but to distribute it better”.

Source:Blick