Switzerland’s obligatory health insurance will pay the cost of alternative medicine treatments; and more news in our Friday roundup.
Acupuncture and homeopathy will continue to be paid by health insurance
Even though a parliamentary motion sought to exclude alternative medical treatments from the obligatory health insurance coverage in order to curb costs — and have them covered by complementary policies instead — the majority of MPs rejected this proposal on Thursday.
They argued that this move “would go against the will of the people,” who voted in 2009 to have acupuncture, homeopathy, herbal medicine, and other alternative treatments included in the basic health insurance.
And, according to Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, the savings generated by excluding these treatments from insurance coverage would not be significant.
READ ALSO: What isn’t covered by Switzerland’s compulsory health insurance?
Regional trains and buses in Switzerland recorded ‘variable punctuality’ in 2024
On average, approximately 94.8 percent of regional trains and 89.8 percent of regional buses arrived at their destinations on time — that is, less than three minutes late compared to the schedule.
This is what emerges from a press release published by the Federal Transport Office on Thursday.
Trains and buses serving routes outside city centres (such as rural and mountain areas) are the most punctual.
This is also the case for trains serving urban areas (RER/S-Bahn).
However, the punctuality of direct trains/RegioExpress RE and buses within urban areas has declined in 2024.
Compensation payments by cantons to rise sharply in 2026
The Federal Finance Administration has calculated the cantons’ equalisation payments for 2026.
(Under Switzerland’s solidarity system of ‘financial equalisation’, wealthy regions pay a certain amount of money each year to their poorer cousins).
In total, these payments will increase by 227 million francs compared to 2025, reaching a total of 6.4 billion francs.
The cantons of Geneva, Zug and Schaffhausen recorded the largest increase in contributions, whereas payouts by Basel-City, Obwalden, Thurgau and Zurich diminished the most.
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Random draw decides who gets to view affordable apartments in Zurich
In Zurich, which has been suffering from a housing shortage and where the demand for apartments greatly outstrips the supply, a random number generator for viewing appointments is being used to allocate vacant accommodations.
This is considered a fairer system than the one traditionally used by landlords.
Some cooperatives — which are in particularly high demand because rents there are more reasonable — are now using the same system for apartments for which there are more than 70 applications.
READ ALSO: What are Swiss housing cooperatives and can you access them
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Ahead this weekend:
Feminist strike will take place across Switzerland on Saturday
As in years past, women in Switzerland will take to the streets on this day to highlight the gender bias that is widespread in the country, especially regarding work, wages, as well as childcare options and conditions.
Check whether (and where) these demonstrations will take place in your community, as traffic might be disrupted.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
