Prosperous Switzerland, Inaccessible Healthcare

Reading Switzerland and poverty in the same paragraph is clearly counterintuitive, even defamatory. Alain, a construction worker, recently confided to me: "There is nothing more shameful than being poor in a rich country. Everyone assumes you are lazy, so I prefer to keep a low profile." Conversely, the wealthier class doesn't understand the issue. Fabienne, a member of the board of a Swiss multinational foundation, proudly told me, "There are enough social safety nets in Switzerland to support vulnerable people in need."?

This situation reaches its peak in access to quality healthcare.?

Switzerland is regularly ranked in the top 5 global nations for the quality and performance of its healthcare system. With an average income per capita nearing CHF 90,000 per year, it seems absurd that 20% of Swiss people are unable to pay a medical bill of more than CHF 2,000 overnight. Consequently, 18% of Swiss people will forgo or delay essential care due to lack of funds.?

What can explain such a distortion in healthcare access??

As usual, the causes are complex and multifactorial.?

An Inequitable Financing System?

The average amount to access primary care is CHF 7,000, one of the highest in the OECD. Between the mandatory health insurance premium and deductibles, household contributions amount to around 70% of our total contributions. While this burden seems easily bearable for some households, it quickly represents 15% of the budget for low-income families.?

As an elected official illustrated during a recent general assembly, "We force people to drive a Tesla when they can't afford it."?

A Struggle for Improbable Access?

For those who can't drive a Tesla, a system of subsidies or aid is in place by various cantons or municipalities. However, a wait of over six months to receive a health insurance subsidy or endless administrative hassles with some mandated NGOs active in health has forced more than 18% of Swiss people to forgo care in 2023.?

Growing Awareness Among the Swiss?

Fortunately, the Swiss are increasingly aware of the problem. When discussing with several young people to raise funds for disadvantaged populations in the Global South, many praised the initiatives but consistently reported that difficulties of accessing care was also their reality. " Making healthcare timely accessible and affordable begins at home, and several initiatives were submitted to a popular vote on June 9th to curb the rise in premiums and reduce costs. However, we have yet to see any concrete action.?

Calls for a Deeper Reform of the Swiss Healthcare System?

However, we must not throw the baby in the towel. By building on the pillars that have worked well over the past two decades, there are innovative, simple, and inclusive solutions that can bring the gift of health to hundreds of thousands of Swiss people.?

More Equitable Financing with New Actors?

As seen during the Covid-19 crisis, several philanthropists and large companies were ready to contribute more significantly to the health of their fellow citizens. A health credit mechanism would allow these philanthropists and companies to quickly deploy traceable and targeted health programs to reduce inequalities. Initially, the programs would focus on generally excluded services such as dental care, and later iteratively embrace preventive and longevity-related care.?

The icing on the cake, the health gift card initiative is voluntary and has the merit of preserving the interests of all current and future stakeholders.?

Providing Specific, Simple, and Non-Stigmatizing Support for Care?

In addition to addressing financing challenges, it is crucial to simplify the administrative procedures for allocation. Low-income patients can use their health gift cards to access care immediately at partner medical facilities. Allowing the gift card to be used by individuals beyond just low-income patients helps reduce the stigma often associated with seeking aid or social safety nets. Studies indicate that using a non-stigmatizing mechanism to tackle inequities can increase adoption among target beneficiaries by over 43%.?

Innovating with a Consensus and Prevention-Focused Approach?

The salvation of the Swiss healthcare system will require a more significant recourse to innovation. This is currently lacking in the Swiss Confederation, which adopts significantly fewer innovations compared to other European countries. Health startups must benefit even more from the ecosystem with insurers, universities, umbrella organizations, medical partners, patient groups, and especially the Confederation, to bring health innovation to the height of Switzerland's global reputation.?

Let's get back to Alain and Fabienne health experiences with the gift card system

Remember Alain, a construction worker, who can now easily visit any dental clinic and receive quality care quickly, with almost no tedious administrative procedures. And Fabienne, who now better understands the long-term impact of the health gift card she once thought was purely charitable. She can now use it to access cryotherapy sessions in her preferred wellbeing center in Romandie.

Overall, this gift health card fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility, bridging social divides and ensuring health is a right, not a privilege.

KimboCare, the gift card for an easy, secure, and fast access to quality health in Switzerland

KimboCare has been evolving for the past five years with the belief that bringing together various complementary ecosystem players—healthcare providers, corporations, individual donors, and public institutions— is the most effective way to drive access to quality healthcare. By doing so, we aim to ensure timely and affordable care that lifts communities out of precarity.?

So, in your opinion, how effective are companies and philanthropists at really making a difference for low-income people in Switzerland and beyond??