A referendum on the issue of uniform financing will be held on 24 November 2024. CSS supports the proposal on which the people are being asked to vote. It welcomes the adoption of this important reform, which will boost the shift towards outpatient care, give fresh impetus to integrated care and have a positive effect on healthcare costs and premiums.
Although outpatient treatment is mostly cheaper than inpatient procedures, many cases are nevertheless treated on an inpatient basis. One of the reasons can be found in the way the system is financed. Outpatient treatment is funded entirely through the premiums paid by insured persons, inpatient care only up to 45%. As a result, some procedures are performed on an inpatient basis although the same level of medical care could be provided on an outpatient basis for less money. This holds back both the sensible shift towards outpatient care and the development of integrated care.
These false incentives can be eliminated by means of a uniform system of financing for services. The reform proposes that, in future, health insurers should pay 100% of the costs in all service areas while the cantons should fund a share of the total costs in their canton (currently at least 26.9% of the total costs), equivalent to the contribution they are currently making towards inpatient care. These funds would find their way back into the system, thus preventing a rise in premiums for insured persons.
After 14 years of discussions in Parliament, the legislative proposal was adopted in the winter session of 2023 by a clear majority (Council of States: 42 votes to 3; National Council: 141 votes to 42, with 15 abstentions).
Although the proposal enjoyed widespread support from hospitals, the cantons, pharmacists, health insurers, doctors and patient organisations, the trade unions successfully called for a referendum. If the referendum proposal is approved, the changes will come into force for acute services on 1 January 2028 and for care services on 1 January 2032. The contracting parties have been called upon to create conditions by 2032 that will enable a standardised system of financing (cost transparency) to be implemented in relation to nursing care.
As a health partner, we are committed to leading a healthy life, actively taking steps to regain one's health and developing a mindful approach to illness.
