[Culturechat] Healthcare costs in CH

[Vance Roy]

CH is the only European country that does NOT require one to pay  
healthcare insurance premiums based on income and net worth.  A new 
measure before parliament would change all that. Proponents say that 
such a measure would more evenly distribute the burden of healthcare 
costs. Those against the measure say that the wealthy already subsidize 
healthcare costs through the increased taxes that they pay.

For the last two years, insurance premiums for healthcare have risen by 
9+%. 10.4% of the CH GDP is taken up by healthcare expenses. That 
compares with 12.9 % of the USA GDP. Reform measures proposed are to 
limit the number of doctors, decrease the services covered by the 
mandatory insurance, and easing imports on cheaper drugs.

The super rich such as Herr Blocher of the Swiss People's Party (SVP) 
might wind up paying 85,000 CHF per MONTH for his insurance. That 
should really gets some action started!

Vance Roy
gigli.saw@dplanet.ch
http://homepage.mac.com/fredch