Home care, ball in the stands: urgent request rejected
The Grand Council of Ticino has rejected the urgent request on the initiative that asked to remove the patients' share of the costs for home care.
Contesto
The Grand Council of Ticino has rejected the urgency request on the initiative that asked to remove the cost-sharing by patients for home care. The decision was made with 41 votes in favor and 38 against, but a two-thirds majority was needed. The parliamentary initiative had been presented by the Socialist group leader Ivo Durisch and co-signatories, and requested the removal of cost-sharing by users of care services. The measure, included in the 2026 Budget and entered into force on April 1st, has sparked strong opposition, with over 20,000 signatures collected in a few days. The cost-sharing for home care, known as 'spitex', has been set at 10 francs per day for a maximum of 30 days per year, with a maximum annual cap of 300 francs. This measure has particularly affected the municipalities of Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno, where the demand for home care services is higher. ### Reactions to the Decision The Socialist group leader, Ivo Durisch, stated that voting on the urgency also meant voting 'no' to a certain mode of communication to the Grand Council. He added that if the government wants to propose it again, it should do so with transparent data and a real parliamentary debate, not through a regulation. Deputy Fabrizio Sirica defined the measure as 'hidden in the Budget', while Maurizio Canetta called on everyone not to hide behind the technicality of urgency. Marco Noi spoke of 'schizophrenia' and Matteo Pronzini summarized the situation with an 'A mistake was made'. Among those in favor of the urgency, also the Lega dei Ticinesi, with Andrea Sanvido stating that penalizing spitex, which represents less than 5% of the total expenditure, risks being not only unfair but also counterproductive. ### Concrete Examples and Impacts In Ticino, the spitex service...
Dettagli operativi
Practical Implications for Cross-Border Workers The decision by the Ticino Grand Council has important implications for cross-border workers residing in Ticino and using home care services. The measure, which came into effect on April 1, 2026, involves a cost-sharing component for users, meaning cross-border workers will have to cover part of the costs for home care. According to the new regulations, patients will contribute an amount ranging from 10% to 20% of the total cost of the services, depending on income and family situation. ### Comparison with the Previous Situation Before the measure came into effect, the costs of home care were fully covered by the public healthcare system. With the new regulations, patients will have to contribute to the costs, which could result in increased expenses for cross-border workers using these services. For example, a cross-border worker residing in Mendrisio who receives home care for a family member might have to pay up to 500 francs per month, depending on the type of assistance required. ### Possible Scenarios If the measure is confirmed, cross-border workers might face additional costs for home care. This could lead to a reduction in the use of these services, with potential repercussions on the quality of life for patients. Furthermore, the measure could be seen as a penalty for the most vulnerable, as highlighted by Deputy Fabrizio Sirica. ### Operational Checklist For cross-border workers using home care services, it is important to follow a series of steps to better understand the new provisions: 1. Income Verification: Determine your annual income to calculate the percentage of cost-sharing. 2. Documentation: Gather all necessary documentation, including identity documents and medical certificates. 3. Contact th...
Punti chiave
What to Do Now While awaiting further developments, cross-border workers who use home care services should closely monitor the situation and stay informed about any changes in regulations. It is advisable to consult your doctor and your health insurer to better understand how the new measure might affect your medical expenses. 📊 Concrete example: A cross-border worker residing in Mendrisio who uses home care services for a family member might face additional costs if the regulations change. Currently, the cost-sharing for home care is set at 10% of the total cost, with a maximum of 1,000 francs per year. If this threshold were removed, costs could increase significantly. 💡 Operational checklist: - Verify with your doctor the home care services you need. - Contact your health insurer to understand current and future coverage. - Use the healthcare cost calculator to estimate current and future costs. - Consider the opportunity to change health insurance if costs were to increase. ### Useful Tools To get a clearer idea of the financial implications, cross-border workers can use the healthcare cost calculator available on the Frontaliere Ticino website. This tool allows you to estimate the costs of healthcare services and better plan your finances. 📊 Concrete example: A cross-border worker residing in Lugano who uses home physiotherapy services might discover that current costs are approximately 80 francs per session. With 20 sessions per year, the total cost would be 1,600 francs. If the cost-sharing increased to 20%, the cross-border worker would have to pay 320 francs instead of the current 160 francs. Additionally, you can consult the health insurance comparator to find the coverage best suited to your needs and budget. 💡 Comparison of practical scenarios: -...
Punti chiave
[{"q":"When does the new measure come into effect?","a":"The new measure came into effect on April 1, 2026."},{"q":"How many signatures were collected against the measure?","a":"Over 20,000 signatures were collected in just a few days."},{"q":"What is the percentage of votes in favor of the urgency request?","a":"The urgency request received 41 votes in favor and 38 against, but a two-thirds majority was required."}]
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does the new measure come into effect?
- The new measure came into effect on April 1, 2026.
- How many signatures were collected against the measure?
- Over 20,000 signatures were collected in just a few days.
- What is the percentage of votes in favor of the urgency request?
- The urgency request received 41 votes in favor and 38 against, but a two-thirds majority was required.