Minister remains wary of alternative medicine

Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin says alternative medicines will not necessarily be covered by compulsory health insurance in the future.

He was speaking ahead of a nationwide vote on May 17 on whether the constitution should allow the inclusion of treatments such as acupuncture into the list of paid health insurance services.

Couchepin, who is in charge of health matters, said even if the move is approved by voters, the proposed treatments would have to comply with criteria, including efficiency, costliness and usefulness, before they are included in the list.

He said it was up to parliament to decide on a possible change in the law to allow for traditional Chinese medicine, homeopathy, anthroposophical medicine as well as neutral and herbal therapies, to be accepted.

At a news conference on Thursday, Couchepin described the proposal as unnecessary, but said he would defend it in line with a parliamentary decision.

The interior ministry struck these treatments off the list in 2005 amid rising health costs. This caused a public outcry.

The main political groups, except for the rightwing Swiss Party, have come out in favour of the proposal, while the Doctor’s Association did not issue a formal recommendation.

A broad majority of voters is expected to approve the proposal, according to an opinion poll published earlier this week.

swissinfo