Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, the Federal Councillor and Minister of Social Affairs and Health, has recently achieved significant healthcare reform, focusing on the uniform financing of outpatient and inpatient services. This reform has been well-received, with 53.3 percent of voters in favor.
Baume-Schneider emphasizes the need for further reforms to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of the healthcare system. However, she faces challenges in pension reform, particularly with the conservative majority in the Federal Council imposing restrictions on her proposed solutions. Baume-Schneider's leadership in healthcare has been praised for her ability to navigate conflicting interests and mediate effectively between stakeholders. She is committed to cost containment measures to ensure the sustainability of healthcare. Rising premiums and the conservative majority's insistence on a higher minimum deductible pose challenges to her efforts for a more equitable healthcare financing model.
In the realm of pension policy, Baume-Schneider advocates for a solution that relies on additional salary percentages to finance the 13th AHV pension. However, her proposals have faced resistance, leading to a compromise that leans on VAT increases instead. The centrist initiative to increase pensions for married couples further complicates the political dynamics surrounding pension reform. Baume-Schneider's attempts to propose countermeasures have been stymied, leaving her with limited options. The looming deadline for the next major AHV reform by 2026 adds urgency to her efforts, as demographic trends necessitate the exploration of new income sources. The pressure to implement structural savings measures, such as raising the retirement age, further complicates her position.
Baume-Schneider's dual focus on healthcare and pension reforms highlights the complexities of Swiss social policy, and her ability to forge consensus and implement effective solutions will be crucial in shaping the future of social welfare in Switzerland.