The SP threatens the cantons with lawsuits

Eight cantons, be addressed to agent, no premium subsidy from state budgets. So it is in black and white in the published report of the Federal office for health (BAG). At least in the Canton of Lucerne at the end of this practice now. The Federal court, in a judgment that the Canton is in breach of the "sense and spirit of the Federal legislation". This requires that the cantons "for lower and middle-income" reduce the cost of the premiums of children and young adults in education by at least 50 percent.

The judgment of the Lucerne SP, as well as several Insured of a complaint, with the help of which you abblitzten before the cantonal court, and now before the Federal court were obtained. This is because the Lucerne government had set for the premium reduction to children and young adults, the income limit to 54'000 Swiss francs, down – retroactive to the beginning of 2017. Families, according to this new regulation, lost their claim, but the money received for 2017 already, had to pay this back. Were affected around 8000 people. Luzern is in a position to deliver payments and the income limits in the law.

SP gives the cantons in 30 days

According to the SP is the judgment of Lausanne, leading the way for all the cantons. In the sight of the party, especially Berne, Aargau, Valais, Glarus, the two Appenzell, and new castle, in support of the middle class, according to BAG report is also insufficient. The report also found that the premium apprentices in many cantons, there are now more than 15 percent of household income. The Federal court adopted as the definition of limit for the middle class is the median salary. Cantons, in which, the income limits for the premium reduction is lower than 70 per cent of the median wage level, failed, according to the Federal court against the requirements of the Federal law.

infographic: health insurance premiums move up a household budget image to enlarge

The SP sets the cantons with an Ultimatum. Within one month, they should initiate the necessary adjustments, said SP Vice-President Barbara Gysi yesterday in front of the media. Otherwise, it will sue the SP these cantons also. The judgment did not make clear the urgency of national rules, in order to eliminate the cantonal patchwork for the premium reduction. Gysi called for the premium initiative launched by the SP in the spring. The Initiative requires that no household has to spend more than 10 percent of their income for health insurance premiums.

Bern and Zurich check

The Bernese councillor Evi Allemann (SP) announced a Review of the premium reduction. However, direct comparisons among the cantons are only possible to a limited extent, as not all used the same basis of calculation. Also, Zurich will review the consequences of the Federal court judgment. "The governing Council will take account of the judgment in the case of the next determination of the limit of income, to the extent that it is applicable to the conditions in the Canton of Zurich," says FDP-health Director Thomas Heiniger. No action is required of the Basel municipal councillor Christoph Brutschin will look for its Canton.

health politician of the CVP and the FDP the Federal Supreme court to welcome the verdict. "It can't be that the cantons shall draw from the premium reduction back, and because of a misguided tax policy," says national councillor Ruth Humbel (CVP, AG). It requires, in a proposal that the cantons as in the past, only Federal funds for the premium reduction, if you contribute yourself to a certain proportion. The Federal government controls approximately 2.8 billion Swiss francs per year, more than half of the cantons paid out funds.

FDP Council of States Joachim Eder (ZG) welcomes the clear Signal of the court, according to which the cantons should the subsidy not for the restoration of your finances. SVP national Council Thomas de Courten criticized, however, the court will interfere significantly in the Federal structures.

(editing Tamedia)

Created: 28.01.2019, 23:33 PM