The Swiss must say on Sunday whether they accept uniform financing of health care, a project which aims in particular to reduce the burden of premiums and to focus more on outpatient treatments.
This is a complex project in an issue that is no less complex, that of health. This year alone, Swiss citizens have already rejected a popular initiative to curb costs and another aimed at reducing premiums.
Initiated in 2009, the revision submitted to a vote on November 24 reached Parliament last December, after fourteen years of work. A large majority of parliamentarians approved the uniform financing of outpatient and inpatient services (EFAS). This is one of the largest reforms in recent years for the thirty-year-old LAMal – the federal law on health insurance, compulsory for every resident in Switzerland.
The project should make it possible to rebalance the coverage of hospital costs between health insurance and cantons, but also to improve the quality of care while making it more affordable for the patient.
According to its supporters, with the acceleration of transfer to outpatient care, EFAS will better enable the patient to recover at home. A movement towards outpatient care also means savings for premium payers, thanks in particular to home care assistance services.
Fearing on the contrary an increase in costs, a drop in the quality of care as well as increased power given to insurers, the unions attacked this project by referendumsupported by the PS and part of the Greens.
>> Watch the Infrarouge debate again:
>> Also review the great Forum debate:
>> The issues in detail: Will the people trust uniform funding for care?
Swiss
