Citizens' Assembly favors introduction of federal health law
The Citizens' Assembly concluded its work this weekend after a final intensive debate on proposed reforms to health promotion and prevention. The participants, a randomly selected cross-section of the Swiss population, discussed ten specific measures and adopted six of them.
Press release
The Citizens' Assembly concluded its work this weekend after a final intensive debate on reform proposals for health promotion and prevention. The participants, a randomly selected cross-section of the Swiss population, discussed ten specific measures and adopted six of them. These include the introduction of a national health law, a stricter ban on advertising for nicotine and alcohol products, and the strengthening of health literacy in all phases of life.
While democracies around the world are coming under pressure, Switzerland is trying out new complementary forms and actively working on a constructive culture of debate. The Citizens' Assembly's voting results provide insights into which reform proposals an informed cross-section of the population considers to be particularly urgent in order to strengthen health promotion and prevention in Switzerland and to reduce health costs in the long term. For example, the Citizens' Assembly supports the introduction of a national health law, the tightening of a ban on advertising for nicotine- and alcohol-containing products, and the strengthening of health literacy in all phases of life.
“Practical reform proposals”
Anne Lévy, Director of the Federal Office of Public Health, praised the work of the Citizens' Assembly: “I am impressed by the commitment with which the participants in the Citizens‘ Assembly have discussed solutions and delved into health policy. The Citizens’ Assembly has developed practical reform proposals for legal, structural and other preventive measures. I am excited to see what happens with the results now.”
The reform proposals were developed in several phases. After a thematic introduction on the first weekend, the participants deepened their knowledge in online meetings. At the discussion weekend in February, they debated with stakeholders from politics and healthcare. The final report reflects the opinions of this informed body.
Prof. Dr. Daniel Kübler, co-initiator of the project at the University of Zurich, emphasizes the importance of the project: “The Citizens' Assembly impressively demonstrates how a diverse cross-section of the population can make informed decisions on complex political issues. This strengthens the democratic system and complements political discourse.”
Handover to Federal Councillor Baume-Schneider
The Citizens' Assembly will present the adopted reform proposals in more detail at a media conference in mid-April. The final report will be handed over by the Citizens' Assembly to Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider at the closing event on May 20. At the event, the results of the Citizens' Assembly will also be discussed and contextualized by representatives of the political support group.