Gloomy forecast for Swiss healthcare system:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Healthcare costs in Switzerland increased from SwFr 12,400 million in 1980 to SwFr 24,500 million in 1990 and are expected to rise 5.9% per annum by the year 2005, according to a study entitled The Swiss Healthcare System in the Year 2005. The report recommends cutting costs through: a reduction in hospital beds; a shift from inpatient to outpatient treatment; a limit on the number of doctors permitted to practise; the development of new types of health insurance; and a higher level of direct patient contributions. Many medical procedures may only be available through supplementary insurance by the year 2005 and only 60% of the population is likely to be comprehensively insured.