With the foreseeable new premium surge, which will be announced by the federal government in the coming days, an ominous trend continues for households with low incomes. In 2026, insured individuals will have to pay over 25 percent more for health insurance than in 2022. This is horrendous, as wages have stagnated over the same period. For an increasing number of people with low incomes, this is unmanageable, especially since market rents continue to rise at the same time.
"This development greatly concerns us. Spending on housing and health now consumes about half of the gross income for poorer households on average. The latest premium increase is a shock for them," says Aline Masé, Head of the Social Policy Department at Caritas Switzerland.
The social and debt counseling services of the regional Caritas organizations in Switzerland have been experiencing very high demand for some time. "Healthcare costs are a central topic in almost every counseling discussion," says Aline Masé. A large portion of those affected have outstanding payments with the insurers. Many even forgo medical treatment because the deductible is too high. "Rising health insurance premiums are an important reason why people fall into poverty," says Aline Masé.
Cantons are required to address premium reduction.
The cantons must address these cost increases with higher premium reductions. The Federal Council holds the cantons accountable as part of the counterproposal to the premium relief initiative that failed at the ballot in 2024. "Premium reductions alone will not be enough to sufficiently relieve the affected households with low incomes. It is time to distribute healthcare costs more solidaristically," emphasizes Aline Masé.