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 The costs of the health increased by 3,7 % from 2003 till 2004 to reach 51,7 billion francs. This increase is more contained than previous years. The insurants and the households more paid out while the State reduced its 1,6 % financing, indicated on Friday the Federal Office of the Statistics.
The increase of the costs strikes mainly the ambulatory services. The increase is there stronger in 2004 (5 %) than on the previous two years (2,2 % in 2002, 2,7 % in 2003). The annual variation over the period from 1995 till 2003 is 3,5 %.
Hospitals show on the other hand a progress of the costs weaker than averages it, in 3,1 %. Such a phenomenon had not occurred any more since 1998. The annual average increase between 1995 and 2003 is 4,3 % in this sector.
Moderate increase also towards establishments for old persons: the costs progressed of 2,7 % in 2004. This collapse was begun in 2003 (3,8 %) after some years of sharp increases (7,4 % in 2001, 7 % in 2002). The costs grew of 5 % from 1995 till 2003.
Invoice salted for the households The households(houseworks) are more spent in the box. They paid 4,9 % more in 2004 than in 2003, an increase stronger than the total increase of the costs. The households not only see increasing their premiums - the net financing of the costs by the  Basic Health Insurance progressed of 6,6 %-, but also the expenses which they pay of their own pocket.
And the progress was very strong (9,4 %) as regards the expense participation. New rules were indeed introduced in 2004: the minimal franchising has increased from 230 to 300 francs and the ceiling fixed for the part of 10 % of the expenses which the patient has to pay out of his pocket increased from 600 to 700 francs a year.
The households besides have to fulfill themselves invoices for the services not covered by the obligatory health assurance or the other welfare, as the dentist care and psychotherapy as well as the not prescribed medicines. As for the expenses of the medical social establishments and the care at home, they are only paid off partially.
The State disengages
In a global way, the part of the households in the financing of the health amounted to 31,9 %, against 31,6 % in 2003. That of the basic assurance also progressed, from 32,7 to 33,6 %. On the other hand, the State slightly disengaged, its contribution moving back from 17,9 to 17 %. Idem for the private insurances with a part which decreased from 9 to 8,7 %.
The situation should not really improve after 2004. The Federal Office of the Statistics (OFS) banks on an average increase of the costs of the 4,1 % health for the next three years. The invoice should so amount to 53,8 billions in 2005, to 56 billions in 2006 and to 58,3 billions in 2007.
Communiqué from OFS to download here
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