The cantons also will not have to participate in the reductions in health premiums. The Council of States rejected on Wednesday with 22 votes against 20 the government’s indirect counter-proposal to the PS initiative “maximum 10% of income for health insurance premiums”.
ats extension
The PS initiative requires no policyholder to pay more than 10% of their disposable income for health insurance premiums. To this end, it stipulates that the Confederation and the cantons contribute more towards premium reductions. The Confederation would bear two-thirds of the costs, while the cantons would bear the rest of the costs.
The Federal Council opposes it and has proposed an indirect counter-proposal. Some cantons have reduced their participation in the premium reduction too much, underlined Health Minister Alain Berset. “We arrive at a situation where the Confederation finances around 90% of the reductions, but has nothing to say. And that’s a problem because premiums are going up.”
Benedikt Würth (C/SG), supported by the right, opposed all versions. According to him, cantonal differences are too important to steer them at the federal level. “We have to trust the cantonal authorities.” “It is an interference in cantonal sovereignty”, added Jakob Stark (SVP/TG).
The case returns to the People’s Chamber.
bl, ats
