CMS initiatives 2026: Government cannot block their implementation (cross-border guide)

The Federal Council cannot subordinate the implementation of the people-approved CMS initiatives to specific funding sources.

Contesto

In brief - The State Council cannot block the implementation of the sick fund initiatives - The initiatives were approved by the people on September 28 - The Pme could be adopted to avoid distortions - The Pmr would provide assistance to those who do not need it What: Implementation of the sick fund initiatives When: September 28 Where: Canton Ticino Who: State Council Amount: 10% of available income for premiums Bellinzona - The State Council cannot subordinate the implementation of the sick fund initiatives approved by the people on September 28 – the socialist one to limit premiums to 10% of available income and the Lega one for their full deductibility – to specific funding sources. This is stated by Andreas Glaser, a constitutional law professor at the University of Zurich, in the expert report commissioned by the Management and Finance. The commission table also received data on the impact of the 10% initiative, calculated according to two parameters: the reference average premium (Pmr) and the actual average premium (Pme). The former only considers policies with a 300 franc franchise, while the latter includes optional franchises as well. According to the commission president Fiorenzo Dadò, adopting the Pme would increase the number of beneficiaries of subsidies from 115,000 to 215,000 people. 'With the Pmr, significant distortions would be created, providing assistance to those who do not need it', says the Center's senior councilor, citing the case of a couple with 160,000 francs of available income that could access subsidies. Therefore, an amendment to adopt the Pme is likely. However, this solution does not convince the socialist group leader Ivo Durisch. 'The true distortions are created by the Pme, as it penalizes elderly and chronically ill people...

Dettagli operativi

Analysis of the impact of the initiatives The health insurance initiatives approved by the people on 28 September were designed to limit premiums to 10% of disposable income and to make premiums fully deductible. However, the implementation of these initiatives could be blocked by the State Council unless specific funding is available. Data on the impact of the 10% initiative show that adopting the Pme could increase the number of subsidy beneficiaries from 115,000 to 215,000 people. This is a significant increase that could have a major impact on the taxation of the Canton of Ticino. The president of the commission, Fiorenzo Dadò, argues that adopting the Pmr would grant aid even to those who do not need it, such as a couple with 160,000 francs of disposable income who could access subsidies. This could create significant distortions in the distribution of subsidies. The socialist group leader, Ivo Durisch, opposes the adoption of the Pme, arguing that it penalises the elderly and chronically ill with minimum deductibles. By proposing a decreasing application of the Pme based on income, Durisch seeks to avoid subsidies for wealthy individuals without penalising those in real need. ### Comparison between Pmr and Pme The Pmr only considers policies with a deductible of 300 francs, while the Pme also includes optional deductibles. This could increase the number of subsidy beneficiaries from 115,000 to 215,000 people, but could also create significant distortions in the distribution of subsidies. Adopting the Pme could have a significant impact on the taxation of the Canton of Ticino, but could also penalise those who are truly in need of assistance. Adopting the Pmr could grant aid even to those who do not need it, but could also reduce the number of subsidy benefi...

Punti chiave

What to do for cross-border workers Cross-border workers interested in the initiatives on sick funds approved by the people on 28 September must monitor the decisions of the State Council and the commission. 1. Monitor the decisions of the State Council: Cross-border workers must monitor the decisions of the State Council and the commission to understand how the initiatives on sick funds will be implemented. 2. Consult a lawyer: Cross-border workers who have doubts about the initiatives on sick funds can consult a lawyer to better understand their implications. 3. Check the insurance coverage: Cross-border workers must check the insurance coverage to understand how the initiatives on sick funds will be implemented. 4. Update the documentation: Cross-border workers must update the documentation to reflect the changes to the initiatives on sick funds. ### Useful tools Cross-border workers can use the following tools to better understand the initiatives on sick funds: - Tax calculator: Tax calculator to understand how the initiatives on sick funds will be implemented. - Insurance comparator: Insurance comparator to understand how the initiatives on sick funds will be implemented. - Practical guides: Practical guides to understand how the initiatives on sick funds will be implemented. ### Conclusions The initiatives on sick funds approved by the people on 28 September have been designed to limit premiums to 10% of available income and to make premiums fully deductible. However, the entry into force of these initiatives may be blocked by the State Council unless specific funding is available. Cross-border workers must monitor the decisions of the State Council and the commission to understand how the initiatives on sick funds will be implemented. In addition, cross...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"Why can't the State Council block the implementation of the sick funds initiatives?","a":"The State Council cannot block the implementation of the sick funds initiatives unless specific funding is available. This was stated by constitutionalist Andreas Glaser, professor at the University of Zurich, in the commissioned report by the Management and Finance."},{"q":"What is the impact of the 10% of available income initiative?","a":"The 10% of available income initiative could increase the number of beneficiaries of subsidies from 115,000 to 215,000 people. However, it could also create significant distortions in the distribution of subsidies."},{"q":"Why is socialist group leader Ivo Durisch opposed to the adoption of the Pme?","a":"Socialist group leader Ivo Durisch is opposed to the adoption of the Pme because it penalizes elderly and chronically ill patients with a minimum franchise. By proposing a decreasing application of the Pme based on income, Durisch aims to avoid subsidizing well-off individuals without penalizing those who truly need it."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't the State Council block the implementation of the sick funds initiatives?
The State Council cannot block the implementation of the sick funds initiatives unless specific funding is available. This was stated by constitutionalist Andreas Glaser, professor at the University of Zurich, in the commissioned report by the Management and Finance.
What is the impact of the 10% of available income initiative?
The 10% of available income initiative could increase the number of beneficiaries of subsidies from 115,000 to 215,000 people. However, it could also create significant distortions in the distribution of subsidies.
Why is socialist group leader Ivo Durisch opposed to the adoption of the Pme?
Socialist group leader Ivo Durisch is opposed to the adoption of the Pme because it penalizes elderly and chronically ill patients with a minimum franchise. By proposing a decreasing application of the Pme based on income, Durisch aims to avoid subsidizing well-off individuals without penalizing those who truly need it.

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