The performance of the Swiss health system: good results but high costs

Abstract

© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.BackgroundThe Swiss health system is characterized by a particularly complex institutional set-up with decision-making power shared between different levels of government, corporatist actors, and the people who can veto or demand reform. All residents are insured by Mandatory Health Insurance, which provides coverage to a comprehensive benefits package. Health expenditures per capita were US$ 6,062 in 2012 - the second highest in Europe after Luxembourg.MethodsThe assessment builds on the extensive country monitoring by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies through its Health Systems in Transition (HiT) health system reviews. Monitoring is carried out using a standardized questionnaire that collects data on financial protection and equity in financing; user experience and equity of access to health care; health outcomes, health service outcomes and quality of care;...