The question is certainly not new: politicians – especially those on the left – have wanted to link the level of health insurance premiums to income for decades. But with the announced premium increase, the request takes on a new urgency. Two leading politicians – including one from the SVP – called in newspaper interviews this weekend for the abolition of the so-called premium.
What does that mean? Nowadays, premiums are paid per person, the amount of which is calculated independently of income and differs only according to age, place of residence, insurer and the chosen insurance model. To relieve low-income households, the Confederation and the cantons grant individual premium reductions.
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Insel Group, Bernhard Pulver, describes this system to the “NZZ am Sonntag” as “unsocial”. The Green politician wants to link the premiums to income.
Bern’s health director, Pierre-Alain Schnegg, takes the same line: he also suggests that high earners should pay higher health insurance premiums. The income must “absolutely be taken into account”, the governing council of the SVP tells the “Bund”. This means that the higher the income, the higher the health insurance premium.
Lukas Engelberger (center) is skeptical of this demand. The Basel government is chairing the Conference of Cantonal Health Directors. When asked, he confirmed that he still finds the current system “the most convincing”. “A higher premium for high earners could create new false incentives and weaken solidarity.”
In addition, it should not be forgotten that the cantons already pay “more than half” of the inpatient treatment: “These public resources are collected through taxes based on income,” says Engelberger.
Thurgau’s director of health, Urs Martin, makes a similar statement. He strongly rejected the proposal of his party and professional colleague Schnegg. The current system is balanced: “Both the public sector and the insured do their part.” Martin fears that if this system were to be jettisoned, it would “again lead to a redistribution of the cheaper eastern part of Switzerland to western Switzerland.
Government council member Bruno Damann of St.Gallen also points out that thanks to the premium reduction, the premium burden for the insured is already income-dependent. The center politician has little confidence in the idea of abolishing the bonus per capita: “That would be a difficult undertaking. Then the discussion quickly arises as to whether compulsory health insurance should not be abolished immediately.” Zurich Health Director Natalie Rickli (SVP) recently put forward this proposal. However, this is not the case for Damman.
Nevertheless, he is also convinced that new approaches should be discussed: “If 30 percent of the population soon receives premium discounts, then you have to ask yourself whether there isn’t a more efficient model.” What is now needed is a fundamental discussion: “For example, it should also be considered whether all basic insurance policies are really necessary.”
The Federal Council has recently issued a negative advice. In his response to an initiative by Green National Councilor Manuela Weichelt, he writes: “The current system takes income into account when it comes to premium reductions.” This means that “a socio-political correction to the bonus per capita” already exists today.
In addition, the state government fears that income and wealth-related premiums would lead to “additional administrative work” if the premiums per canton and region are maintained. He therefore considers a fundamental system change “not indicated”. Instead, the Federal Council wants to require the cantons to make a minimal contribution to the premium reduction as part of the counter-proposal to the premium waiver initiative.
The electorate has already indirectly spoken in favor of retaining the premium. In May 2003, nearly 73 percent rejected the so-called health initiative. It stipulated that premiums would be levied in stages according to income and assets and that part of the cost of compulsory health insurance would be financed through a supplementary VAT rate. (aargauerzeitung.ch)
Source: Blick
I am Ross William, a passionate and experienced news writer with more than four years of experience in the writing industry. I have been working as an author for 24 Instant News Reporters covering the Trending section. With a keen eye for detail, I am able to find stories that capture people’s interest and help them stay informed.
