Cost brake initiative: This is what politicians want to do to counter the premium explosion

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The center’s cost brake initiative suggests that the Federal Council, the Federal Assembly and the cantons should intervene in the future if healthcare costs rise too much compared to wage developments. This would be the case if the cost growth per insured person were one fifth greater than the nominal wage development.

The Bundesrat shares the concern, but opposes the centre’s proposal. It is too rigid and can lead to rationing. The Bundesrat therefore makes an indirect counter-proposal.

Parliament debated the possible counter-proposal on Wednesday morning. During the second consultation, the National Council maintained minor disagreements with the Council of States. For example, it remains controversial which authorities should have what powers when adjusting outdated rates – in the outpatient clinic and in hospitals.

No interventions at Tarmed

The National Council unanimously urged the Federal Council to be given additional sub-communities in the field of hospital care. The Council of States wants to delete this passage. By 99 votes to 90, with 2 abstentions, the grand chamber followed the Council of States in refusing to ask the Federal Council to intervene in the Tarmed Tariff.

The introduction of freedom of contract in laboratories is off the table. The National Council annulled this article by 107 votes in favour, 78 against and 4 abstentions, following the example of the Council of States.

In the first round of consultations, the Grand Chamber had decided that laboratory analyzes may only be reimbursed if the patient’s health insurer has concluded a contract with the private laboratory that performs the analysis. In the meantime, however, a report came to the conclusion that this would lead to a lot of extra administrative work and extra costs.

Only what is effective should be rewarded

Finally, the National Council states that independent third parties must evaluate the effectiveness, usefulness and cost-effectiveness of a service. Like the Council of States, he wants to lay down in a paragraph that services will no longer be reimbursed if the evaluations show that these criteria are no longer met.

The councils were able to agree earlier on the introduction of cost and quality targets for healthcare. This is considered to be the core of the indirect counter-proposal to the initiative. The template does not contain specifications about what to do if goals are not met. (SDA)

Source:Blick