Ticino votes to cap health insurance premiums
The residents of the Swiss canton of Ticino have voted in favor of an initiative from the Social Democratic Party (PS) to cap health insurance premiums, with 57.08% approval. Turnout stood at 51.64%. The result marks a notable local express demand for cost relief in a system that has been repeatedly tightening household budgets. In the rest of Switzerland, a similar nationwide project in June 2024 was rejected by voters (the so‑called premium relief initiative), illustrating the regional dimension of the health‑cost debate.
For Ticino, the immediate financial impact is clear: premiums are set to rise by an average 7.1% next year after a 10.5% increase this year. The canton now holds the dubious distinction of bearing the highest average health insurance premiums in Switzerland, underscoring the scale of the cost challenge facing households there.
Two initiatives, one direction: higher impact on out‑of‑pocket costs
The polling also showed overwhelming support (60.51%) for the Lega’s parallel proposal to raise the maximum tax‑deductible amounts tied to health insurance costs. If implemented, the deductibles would grow from 5,500 CHF to 9,000 CHF for singles and from 10,900 CHF to 18,000 CHF for married couples, with retirees also benefiting from higher deductions. The move is designed to ease annual premium burdens by enabling a larger slice of costs to be deducted from taxable income, even as out‑of‑pocket payments at the point of care rise.
Cantonal leaders react: costs versus reform
The Grand Council and the Ticino government had argued to reject both initiatives, pointing to the risk that the measures address symptoms rather than root causes. After the vote, supporters argued that rising premiums demanded urgent relief for taxpayers, while opponents warned that the measures would merely redistribute costs within a system already under strain.
Norman Gobbi, president of the Cantonal Council, acknowledged the disappointment but warned that the changes are unlikely to solve the underlying dynamics of health‑care spending. “This will transfer costs,” he argued, adding that a broad reform of the health system is needed to curb the upward trajectory of costs on a long‑term basis. “We will continue to use our room for maneuver,” he said, stressing the need for a comprehensive reform at the federal level.
Health minister’s view: reform is still needed
Health Minister Raffaele de Rosa framed the vote within a larger crisis: the current system is no longer ‘sustainable.’ He said the cantons have limited leeway on many fronts, and that authorities must push for change with the federal government. “The system has reached its limits. We will make this even clearer to the Federal Council,” de Rosa stated, signaling an intent to advocate for deeper reforms and greater national alignment to control costs.
Context: rising costs and the search for balance
Advocates for the premium cap argue that premiums in Ticino are up to 25% higher than the national average, placing a heavy burden on households. They emphasize that households pay thousands of francs annually and often benefit only from partial deductions. Opponents counter that cap measures and higher deductibles could shift the financial pressure around rather than reduce overall spending in the health system. The vote reflects a broader tension in Swiss health policy: how to maintain universal access and high quality while slowing the relentless rise in costs.
Outlook
With these mandates approved at the cantonal level, Ticino will push for a broader discussion on health‑care financing and cost containment. The path to systemic reform remains complex, requiring collaboration among cantons and the federal government. Citizens may perceive this as a step toward relief, but policymakers warn that meaningful reductions in overall health costs will require structural changes that extend beyond premium caps and deductibles.
