Forum held on June 22, 2007
Featured speakers included the former President of the Swiss Confederation and minister responsible for health, Ruth Dreifuss, and noted Swiss journalist, Beatrice Schaad Noble. Switzerland implemented an individual mandate for health insurance coverage 12 years ago. Swiss health insurance is decentralized with private insurance and subsidies for families and individuals with low incomes. The Swiss have a plan very similar to what is being implemented in Massachusetts, but they have a big head start. This was an opportunity to learn from the Swiss experience.