Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider has outlined the priorities for her department, emphasizing the need for a stable financing model for the 13th AHV pension, the acceleration of digital health initiatives, and strategies to curb rising healthcare costs. In an interview with the news agency Keystone-SDA, she stated that maintaining the financial viability of the social security system remains a primary focus, while dismissing immediate plans to raise the retirement age.
Financing the 13th AHV Pension
The upcoming debate over the 13th AHV pension is a central challenge for the government. According to Baume-Schneider, the decision by Parliament to partially fund the pension through an increase in the value-added tax (VAT) is a necessary step to prevent the social security system from falling into financial disarray. She rejected the idea that the upcoming VAT hike for the army should be conflated with pension financing, asserting that the population understands the necessity of funding the pension. While the Federal Council is not currently considering an increase in the retirement age, Baume-Schneider noted that the ongoing “AHV 2030” reform aims to create a framework for discussing future models of a differentiated retirement age.
Did You Know? Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will turn 63 in December and has stated she does not intend to remain in her position until the age of 70.
Digitalization and Healthcare Reforms
The Federal Councillor identified the “Digisanté” project and the implementation of an electronic health record as vital tasks for the remainder of the legislative period. This follows the recent announcement that the Post is withdrawing from the electronic patient record system due to economic reasons. Despite this withdrawal, Baume-Schneider maintained that the digital health record must be implemented to increase transparency, noting that the Post has expressed interest in a potential future return to the project.
Managing Healthcare Costs
Regarding the rising costs in the healthcare sector, Baume-Schneider admitted that progress is incremental. She emphasized that the population shares responsibility in managing these expenses, suggesting that patients could help lower costs by utilizing emergency hotlines instead of visiting emergency rooms directly. Additionally, she pointed to the need to reduce unnecessary hospital treatments, though she acknowledged that the system is complex due to the number of stakeholders involved and the significant financial interests at play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an increase in the retirement age currently planned?
No. Baume-Schneider stated that an increase in the retirement age is not an option for the Federal Council at this time, following a clear rejection of such measures by the public.
How does the Federal Council view the withdrawal of the Post from the electronic patient record?
Baume-Schneider characterized the withdrawal as a decision made by the Post for economic reasons, emphasizing that it makes moving forward with digital health dossiers even more urgent.
Will the Federal Councillor remain in office after the 2027 elections?
Baume-Schneider has not confirmed her plans beyond 2027 but noted that she does not intend to serve until age 70 and finds her current work in social and health policy to be valuable and energizing.
How do you believe the proposed changes to the healthcare system will impact your access to medical services in the coming years?
