Further measures against rising healthcare costs
The Federal Council wants to curb the premium burden for people in Switzerland. At its meeting in mid-August 2020, it approved a second package of measures aimed at further improving medical care and curbing cost growth in the healthcare system. The savings potential amounts to around one billion francs. The consultation period lasts until November 19, 2020.
With this second package, the Federal Council is implementing its decision of May 20, 2020 to submit an indirect counterproposal to the popular initiative "For lower premiums - cost brake in healthcare (cost brake initiative)" of the Christian Democratic People's Party (CVP).
As central Measure the Federal Council wants to introduce a target for mandatory health insurance (OKP; basic insurance). Each year, the federal government and the cantons will determine how much costs may grow, for example, for inpatient Hospital treatments, outpatient physician treatments, or pharmaceuticals. In doing so, they involve the most important players. The players primarily determine which measures are to be taken if the targets are exceeded. Patients, however, always have access to all services of the OKP. Today, there is a lack of systematic consideration of what cost growth is appropriate in the individual areas. The target increases transparency, strengthens responsibility and reduces medically unnecessary services.
The target also meets the concerns of the CVP's "cost brake initiative" and additionally shows how the specified growth targets can be achieved without rationing medically necessary services.
Improve coordination
The Federal Council also wants to strengthen coordination with three measures to avoid unnecessary treatment and thus increase the quality of care. All people in Switzerland should choose an initial consultation center to which they turn first when they have health problems, for example a family doctor, an HMO practice or a telemedicine center. These advise patients, treat them themselves or refer them to specialized physicians. Models with a limited choice of service providers, such as the family doctor model, have proven their worth and are widely accepted today.
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