In the near future, policyholders are likely to have to pay even more for their healthcare costs. Indeed, the National, led by the right and the Center, accepted on Monday, by 114 votes to 75, a motion from Diana Gutjahr (UDC/TG) asking that the minimum franchise, currently 300 francs, be revised upwards. .
In her text – the same as that tabled by Senator Esther Friedli (UDC/TG) and approved by the Council of States in September – the elected official pointed out that since the introduction of the LAMal, Berne had increased the tax on several occasions. ordinary franchise. In 1996, it amounted to 150 francs, before increasing to 230 francs in 1998 then to 300 francs in 2004. But for 20 years, nothing. However, “the gross costs borne by compulsory health insurance have more than tripled,” underlines the Thurgovian. “An increase in the deductible will lower the amount of premiums while slowing down a future increase,” according to her.
And the elected official made her calculations: a minimum deductible of 350 francs would reduce premiums by 0.6%, increasing it to 400 francs would allow a reduction of 1.3% in premiums. And 2% if the deductible increases to 600 francs.
His proposal was opposed by Barbara Gysi (PS/SG). “Increasing the participation of policyholders in the costs is taking the wrong path,” she recalled. According to her, it is people suffering from chronic illnesses, the elderly and the poor who will be affected. Another risk: according to a 2023 report, more than 15% of insured people give up going to the doctor for fear of not being able to pay for it. “They will use it later, which will cost more,” she argued. And remember that Switzerland is the OECD country where patients already pay the most out of their own pocket for health care. In vain.
The Federal Council had already said it was in favor. “He is cautiously open to increasing the individual responsibility of policyholders,” underlined the Minister of Health, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider. But “however, the increase in the deductible is moderate”, she tempered, so as not to burden households too heavily.
The two Chambers will have to vote on the subject again since they will have to validate the motion adopted by the other Council.
The worst has already been avoided
Note that the pill could have been even bitterer for the policyholders. Indeed, State Councilor Josef Dittli (PLR/UR) had requested that the level of policyholder deductibles and/or the maximum share (currently 700 francs) be regularly adapted. He finally withdrew his text to push that of the two UDC elected officials.
