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Families in Switzerland are under increasing financial pressure. Whether it’s rental prices, groceries or health insurance premiums: the costs have risen massively in some cases. Do politicians have to act now? Where does she have to apply the lever?
Life in Switzerland has become more expensive recently. This also affects middle-class families, who have to look deeper into their wallets by the end of the month at the latest. This is also the case with Claudia Schwarz, a social insurance specialist and single mother of three children. Despite working, she barely makes ends meet: “It happens that on the 20th of the month I’m only in the store with a fiver.”
Andreas Lustenberger, member of the Caritas management team, reports on his experiences: “More and more people who work are barely making ends meet these days.” Marco Salvi, head of research at Avenir Suisse, has a slightly different assessment: “In Switzerland we have strong families.” This is due, among other things, to the good economic environment. In addition, it is mainly single people who receive social assistance.
More and more people who work today are barely making ends meet.
While all politicians in the “Arena” agree that such precarious financial situations as those faced by Claudia Schwarz should not arise, the respective approaches to solving the problem differ.
Sick healthcare – what next?
SVP National Councilor Barbara Steinmann calls for a fundamental rethink of the healthcare system. Otherwise, health insurance premiums would never stop rising. Steinemann, for example, suggests abolishing the free choice of doctor: “This could create incentives to work efficiently.” The Zurich native accuses the left of wanting to make more and more people dependent on the state.
It makes no sense that the public sector can save at the expense of private households.
In its initiative, the SP demands that no one should spend more than 10 percent of their income on health insurance premiums. That is why the premium reduction should be expanded. SP National Councilor Samira Marti is promoting this proposal, which aims to distribute the costs more fairly and thus relieve the burden on middle-class families. The federal government and cantons in particular should provide more financial support: “It makes no sense that the public sector can save at the expense of private households,” said the Basel bidder.
Only if the costs are reduced can the health construct continue to be financed.
Center National Councilor Stefan Müller-Altermatt advocates the center’s cost-cutting initiative. This applies leverage on the cost side. If health care costs rise significantly faster than wages and the overall economy, the federal government and cantons must take measures. “The health system can only continue to be financed if the costs are reduced,” says the Solothurn resident. Both the SP’s premium relief initiative and the center’s cost brake initiative will be voted on on June 9, 2024.
Patricia von Falkenstein, LDP National Councilor and member of the FDP parliamentary group, rejects both initiatives. “Neither of the two initiatives helps the health system become more efficient,” criticizes the Basel resident. The high health insurance premiums can only be counteracted on a small scale. “Many families don’t know that they could save a lot by switching health insurance companies.”
How problematic are rising rental costs?
Rental prices also place a heavy burden on the household budgets of middle-class families. Müller-Altermatt and Marti agree: there needs to be an active land policy from the communities. This would solve the housing shortage. National measures are out of place, explains centrist politician Müller-Altermatt – the situation varies too much from region to region. SP Ms. Marti focuses primarily on rent control and non-profit housing construction.
Patricia von Falkenstein and Barbara Steinemann criticize the numerous regulations that prevent the urgently needed housing space from being created or the existing one being renovated. «Left-wing politics prevents the construction of new apartments. “That’s why the rental costs for families are rising,” explains von Falkenstein.
After a tour d’horizon of the various areas in which families could be relieved, Claudia Schwarz has her say again at the end of the program. Her final message: “Poverty is not the same as welfare. Many people share my fate – this must be recognized.”