June 9 votes: narrow lead for Swiss initiatives to rein in healthcare costs

Two initiatives aimed at capping health insurance costs in Switzerland have the backing of a slim majority of voters, according to the first nationwide poll ahead of the votes on June 9. A referendum on the electricity law is enjoying massive support, while an anti-vaccination initiative has little chance of passing next month. Will Swiss voters come out in support for people who struggle to pay their monthly health insurance premiums? For now, voters seem to accept the two different solutions put forward by the Centre Party and the Social Democratic Party, according to the results of the first poll, carried out in mid-April by the gfs.bern institute on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC). But the early lead may not be enough. The survey published on Friday showed that 56% of respondents support the Social Democrats’ initiative to limit health insurance premiums to 10% of income. A total of 40% of respondents are against the idea, and 4% are undecided. The Swiss ...