Citizens' Assembly discusses reform proposals for health promotion and prevention
This weekend, the Citizens' Assembly is discussing reform proposals for health promotion and prevention at the University of Neuchatel – ranging from financial incentives and advertising bans on unhealthy products to a national health law.
Press release
Neuchâtel, February 14, 2025. This weekend, the Citizens' Assembly will discuss reform proposals on health promotion and prevention at the University of Neuchâtel - ranging from financial incentives to advertising bans on unhealthy products and a national health law. On Saturday afternoon, stakeholders from politics and the health care system will engage in dialogue with the Citizens' Assembly.
In November, the Citizens' Assembly already decided on the main topic of “health promotion and prevention”. In recent weeks, the participants have dealt intensively with the topic in several online meetings and exchanged ideas with experts. With a good understanding of the current situation and an overview of various reform proposals, the Citizens' Assembly will now meet again in Neuchâtel.
Discussion at the center
On the second weekend, the Citizens' Assembly will focus on discussion: reform proposals such as a national health law, the inclusion of preventive measures in basic insurance, and targeted incentives for health promotion and prevention will be debated. Measures such as tax adjustments, bans, rewarding health-conscious behavior, strengthening health literacy, and greater involvement of employers will also be discussed. On Saturday afternoon, stakeholders from politics and the health care system will engage in dialogue with the Citizens' Assembly.
“The discussion weekend offers the opportunity to bring together different perspectives on the urgent challenges in the health care system,” emphasizes co-initiator Nenad Stojanović from the University of Geneva. ”Direct dialogue between the public, politicians and health care stakeholders enables a valuable exchange and can contribute to the development of viable reforms in health policy.”
Barbara Gysi, President of the National Council's Committee for Social Security and Health (CSSH), is looking forward to the discussions with the Citizens' Assembly: “The Citizens' Assembly makes an important contribution to connecting politics and society. The discussions will show which reform proposals are supported by a diverse cross-section of the population in the area of health promotion and prevention.”
Nicolina Onofrei from Neuchâtel, a participant and director of a music school, is looking forward to the weekend with joy: “The open exchange helps to think outside the box. Not only do you better understand other opinions, but you can also negotiate solutions together”.
Final report in spring
After the discussion weekend, the Citizens' Assembly continues to work on the reform proposals. At the final weekend at the end of March, they will be finalized and adopted in the final report. This summarizes the discussions and presents the positions of the Citizens' Assembly on the reform proposals. In doing so, it offers politicians an informed perspective on the topic and contributes to the public debate.