Alongside the national evacuation effort, the cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and St Gallen confirmed on 24 October that they will finance hospital costs for two of the evacuated Gaza children if insurers decline coverage. Lottery funds earmarked for disaster relief will be tapped, and local asylum agencies will process the families’ status.
Cantonal officials noted that the precedent may require establishing standard cost-sharing protocols for future medical evacuations, as Swiss hospitals increasingly serve as regional trauma centres. Legal scholars point out that the Federal Asylum Act allows extraordinary health-based admissions but leaves funding largely to cantons, creating variability nationwide.
For corporate medical-assistance providers and risk managers, the announcement clarifies that cantonal lottery funds can be considered a back-stop for high-cost care, but only after social-insurance avenues are exhausted. Employers arranging critical care for expatriates’ dependants should coordinate with cantonal social departments early.
Cantonal officials noted that the precedent may require establishing standard cost-sharing protocols for future medical evacuations, as Swiss hospitals increasingly serve as regional trauma centres. Legal scholars point out that the Federal Asylum Act allows extraordinary health-based admissions but leaves funding largely to cantons, creating variability nationwide.
For corporate medical-assistance providers and risk managers, the announcement clarifies that cantonal lottery funds can be considered a back-stop for high-cost care, but only after social-insurance avenues are exhausted. Employers arranging critical care for expatriates’ dependants should coordinate with cantonal social departments early.
