{"id":19,"date":"2021-07-17T06:44:44","date_gmt":"2021-07-17T04:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/?p=19"},"modified":"2024-12-03T07:11:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-03T06:11:29","slug":"switzerlands-healthcare-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/?p=19","title":{"rendered":"Switzerland&#8217;s healthcare problem"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Switzerland\u2019s healthcare system is amongst the world\u2019s best, when you need it, and the worst if you don\u2019t need it or can\u2019t afford it.\u00a0Insurance premiums finance the health system. As with all insurance\u00a0there is cross-subsidisation. But with Switzerland&#8217;s healthcare, it\u2019s the poor subsidising the rich.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"float: right;\" title=\"blood-gc27700b1f_640.jpeg\" src=\"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/blood-gc27700b1f_640.jpeg\" alt=\"Blood gc27700b1f 640\" width=\"364\" height=\"182\" border=\"0\" \/>Switzerland&#8217;s healthcare is the world&#8217;s second most expensive, after America. It costs the economy 12.1% of GDP<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecd-ilibrary.org\/social-issues-migration-health\/health-at-a-glance-europe-2020_82129230-en;jsessionid=Glr6JmdDaim615hOeKLPhLS2.ip-10-240-5-168\">Health at a Glance: Europe 2020<\/a> pg162<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.\u00a0The problem is: who is footing the bill? Switzerland has adopted mandatory health insurance (MHI): every resident is legally obliged to have health insurance and it\u2019s prohibitive, especially for the poor.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Although there are subsidies for the poorest, \u00a0there is a significant number of Swiss for whom the premiums are unaffordable<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bag.admin.ch\/dam\/bag\/en\/dokumente\/nat-gesundheitsstrategien\/gesundheit-2030\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf.download.pdf\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf\">Health2030 \u2013 the Federal\u00a0Council\u2019s health policy\u00a0strategy for the period\u00a02020\u20132030<\/a> pg 22<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<p>Then there are the out-of-pocket (OOP) payments when there are claims. The minimum copayment is 10% and the minimum deductible is CHF300. But the deductible amount is based on the premium, so to make the premiums more affordable, most people have a much higher deductible. Except for the rich and the chronically ill, most Swiss have \u00a0catastrophe health insurance. For the bottom quintile healthcare represents 22% of expenditure<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"https:\/\/read.oecd-ilibrary.org\/social-issues-migration-health\/oecd-reviews-of-health-systems-switzerland-2011_9789264120914-en#page1\">OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Switzerland 2011<\/a> pg 70<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Some people have to choose between bread and health insurance, and by law, you must pay the insurance.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Leading a healthy life, eating well and exercising regularly has proven health benefits. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are responsible for just over 30% of the country\u2019s deaths. CVDs, Cancers (slightly less than 30%)<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.euro.who.int\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0010\/293689\/Switzerland-HiT.pdf\">Switzerland Health system review<\/a> pg 1<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>, respiratory ailments and diabetes are far less likely for people with a healthy lifestyle.<\/p>\n<p>In a survey conducted in 2017, 47% of the respondents confirmed their willingness to make their exercise data available if this resulted in lower health insurance premiums<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"https:\/\/labs.letemps.ch\/interactive\/2018\/_archives_f100\/2017\/sophia.pdf\">FORUM DES 1OO Sophia 2017<\/a> pg 9<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<p>The rates of obesity are soaring. Between 1992 and 2017, obesity has increased from 5% to 11% of the population<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_6');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_6');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_6\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">source deleted<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Over 31% of Swiss are overweight or obese. Obesity is linked to CVDs, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, low quality of life, and many forms of cancer. Obesity is a complex condition, and there is no simple solution. Physical activity is\u00a0recommended as part of a comprehensive\u00a0weight loss therapy that leads to pronounced health improvements for people who are overweight<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_7');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_7');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[7]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_7\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/files\/docs\/guidelines\/ob_gdlns.pdf\">Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults<\/a> pg 46<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>But in Switzerland\u2019s health insurance system, leading a healthy life does not result in lower premiums or rebates.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The inequities of Switzerland\u2019s healthcare system are well documented. Addressing the inequity is an objective of the Federal Office of Public Health<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_8');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_19_1('footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_8');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[8]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_8\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bag.admin.ch\/dam\/bag\/en\/dokumente\/nat-gesundheitsstrategien\/gesundheit-2030\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf.download.pdf\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf\">Health2030 \u2013 the Federal\u00a0Council\u2019s health policy\u00a0strategy for the period\u00a02020\u20132030<\/a> pg 24<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_19_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>There is little evidence of progress.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>We are conducting a survey on the level of concern with this issue. If it worries you, please vote by clicking <a href=\"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/hrvhealth_vote.php\"><strong>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>HRV Health is a Swiss organization dedicated to the promotion of a healthy lifestyle over medication as the global solution to the healthcare crises. If you share this approach, please <a href=\"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/hrvhealth_vote.php\">vote<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>Vote results to date:<\/strong><\/p>\n<table border=\"1\" summary=\"ride data\"><tr><td align='left'><b>Country<\/b><\/a><\/td><td align='center'><b>Percent<\/b><\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Australia<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Austria<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.2<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Bangladesh<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Bermuda<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Brazil<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.7<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Canada<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>4.9<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>China<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>18.3<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Colombia<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Croatia (Hrvatska)<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.4<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Finland<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.5<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>France<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>6.9<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Germany<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>2.7<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Great Britain (UK)<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>1.8<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Guyana<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Hong Kong<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.4<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>India<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Indonesia<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Iraq<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Ireland<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>3.2<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Isle of Man<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Israel<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.5<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Japan<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Mexico<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Moldova<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>1.3<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Netherlands<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.3<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>New Zealand (Aotearoa)<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Romania<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.4<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Russian Federation<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>1.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Saudi Arabia<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.1<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Serbia<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.4<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Singapore<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>8.7<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>South Africa<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.8<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Sweden<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>1.5<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Switzerland<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.8<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Ukraine<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>0.4<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>United States<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>40.9<\/a><\/td><\/tr><tr><td align='left'>Viet Nam<\/a><\/td><td align='right'>1.2<\/a><\/td><\/tr><\/table>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_19_1();\">References<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_19_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_19_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_19_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">References<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.oecd-ilibrary.org\/social-issues-migration-health\/health-at-a-glance-europe-2020_82129230-en;jsessionid=Glr6JmdDaim615hOeKLPhLS2.ip-10-240-5-168\">Health at a Glance: Europe 2020<\/a> pg162<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bag.admin.ch\/dam\/bag\/en\/dokumente\/nat-gesundheitsstrategien\/gesundheit-2030\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf.download.pdf\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf\">Health2030 \u2013 the Federal\u00a0Council\u2019s health policy\u00a0strategy for the period\u00a02020\u20132030<\/a> pg 22<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/read.oecd-ilibrary.org\/social-issues-migration-health\/oecd-reviews-of-health-systems-switzerland-2011_9789264120914-en#page1\">OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Switzerland 2011<\/a> pg 70<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_4');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_4\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.euro.who.int\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0010\/293689\/Switzerland-HiT.pdf\">Switzerland Health system review<\/a> pg 1<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_5');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_5\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/labs.letemps.ch\/interactive\/2018\/_archives_f100\/2017\/sophia.pdf\">FORUM DES 1OO Sophia 2017<\/a> pg 9<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_6');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_6\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>6<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">source deleted<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_7');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_7\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>7<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nhlbi.nih.gov\/files\/docs\/guidelines\/ob_gdlns.pdf\">Clinical Guidelines on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults<\/a> pg 46<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_19_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_19_1_8');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_19_1_8\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>8<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bag.admin.ch\/dam\/bag\/en\/dokumente\/nat-gesundheitsstrategien\/gesundheit-2030\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf.download.pdf\/strategie-gesundheit2030.pdf\">Health2030 \u2013 the Federal\u00a0Council\u2019s health policy\u00a0strategy for the period\u00a02020\u20132030<\/a> pg 24<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_19_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_19_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_19_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_19_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_19_1').hide(); 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}<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Switzerland\u2019s healthcare system is amongst the world\u2019s best, when you need it, and the worst if you don\u2019t need it or can\u2019t afford it.\u00a0Insurance premiums finance the health system. As with all insurance\u00a0there is cross-subsidisation. But with Switzerland&#8217;s healthcare, it\u2019s the poor subsidising the rich. Switzerland&#8217;s healthcare is the world&#8217;s second most expensive, after America.&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/?p=19\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Switzerland&#8217;s healthcare problem<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,2,4],"tags":[6,5,7],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19"}],"version-history":[{"count":26,"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1506,"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19\/revisions\/1506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hrvhealth.org\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}