Sovereign Votes against Deficit Guarantee for the Medical Center

  22.04.2016 Gstaad Living

After the municipality had decided last year to finance half of the deficit guarantee for the Medical Center to keep its doors open over the weekend, signatures were collected for a referendum. The other half of the guarantee would have been provided by the Friends of Healthcare Saanenland, each chipping in CHF 100'000. A week ago the voting population of Saanen had to decide in this matter. Saanen City Council President, Albert Bach, presented the motion and its aims, which were the amelioration of the emergency medical service and the primary health care in the region. Last but not least, it should bring back part of the feeling of security that had gotten lost with the closure of the hospital in Saanen.

A long and at times heated discussion followed. The ones who opposed the funding argued that this financing scheme would not enhance the emergency service but simply allow a medical practice to extend its opening hours over the weekend. With the ambulances, the obligatory emergency rota of local practitioners (including the Medical Center), and the 24/7 emergency service of the hospital in Zweisimmen, the emergency service in the region is covered. The supporters of the public financing for the Medical Center stressed the need to build a base for the future, to relieve the pressure on local practitioners, and to provide the population of Saanen as well as its guests a feeling of security.

After the discussion, which lasted over an hour, the majority of the voters present at the assembly decided agains this deficit guarantee.


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