Plan to raise health insurance deductible

Switzerland's plan to lift the minimum health-insurance deductible from CHF 300.- to CHF 400.- has split the country.

Consultation results published this week show the Liberal Party and the Swiss People’s Party, as well as insurers, back the move.

One industry study claims a CHF 500.- threshold could save CHF 1.2 billion a year. 

The Socialists, unions and cities reject the plan outright, warning it would hit pensioners, low earners, the chronically ill and women hardest. 

The Centre Party and cantonal health directors support a one-off rise but want to watch its effects before any automatic adjustment kicks in. 

The Federal Council will now weigh the responses before sending a bill to parliament.

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