Swiss Back Health Reform, Boosting Incentive for Outpatient Care

Swiss voters approved a government plan to alter funding in the health-care system, a decision that could see more outpatient treatments being chosen over hospitalizations.

The bill to give state support not only to inpatient care, but also to therapies at doctor’s offices, received 53.3% in Sunday’s plebiscite, according to final government results.

So far, only hospitalizations are partially funded by Swiss cantons — the country’s states — while other therapies have to be fully paid by insurers or the treated themselves. By boosting the incentive for outpatient care, the government aimed for savings of some 440 million francs ...