In the News

Healthcare Overhaul

A report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) states that health spending is higher in Switzerland than in other OECD countries but the Swiss are not getting value for money. Switzerland spends 11,5 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health against an average of 8,8 per cent for other OECD countries. Yet despite paying more for health, the Swiss don't get a better quality of care, according to the report. Costs are too high, and not enough is being spent on prevention. The report also criticises the fact that there are 26 cantonal health systems for a country the size of Switzerland. They say this makes it difficult to have a coherent strategy at a national level and prevents competition.