The press release from the Social Security and Public Health Commission (CSSS) of the National Council is titled as follows: “Reducing the overload of hospital emergencies through a targeted increase in cost sharing”. In simpler language, the commission wants to introduce the famous trifle tax of 50 francs for patients who spontaneously go to the emergency room “without a written request from a doctor, a telemedicine center or a pharmacist”.
In Parliament, this famous tax for mild cases has already caused quite a bit of ink to flow. It follows a parliamentary initiative by Thomas Weibel (VL/ZH) already in 2017. Accepted, refused by the States, threatened with being classified, then extended until 2026, this tax is now subject to formal consultation until next January.
Its first formulation was simple: “The laws are adapted so that patients who go to the emergency room of a hospital must pay a tax on site, for example 50 francs. This tax would not be charged on the deductible or cost-sharing. It would therefore be added to the deductible and the 10% cost contribution (up to 700 francs per year).
This proposal comes back after the Swiss population refused in June the two initiatives to limit premiums and health costs. The commission believes that this tax should slow down “the use of hospital emergencies, which are regularly increasing, leading to an increase in the workload for medical and nursing staff and an increase in waiting times”.
The tax must “be able to divert mild cases from emergencies and direct them towards more adequate and economical care”. Please note, however, that this tax, according to the commission’s draft, “would not concern pregnant women and children.”
