A coalition of Swiss pro-life organizations has launched a petition opposing a parliamentary decision that would make abortions fully funded by the country's mandatory health insurance starting next year, according to the Swiss evangelical news site Livenet.ch.
The legislative change, set to take effect Jan. 1, 2027, eliminates the existing cost-sharing requirement for abortion services and extends full insurance coverage throughout the entire pregnancy. Parliament approved the measure as part of a broader package of cost-containment reforms.
The petition, titled "No Free Abortions Through the Back Door!," is being led by "Marsch fürs Läbe" (March for Life) alongside EDU Switzerland, HLI Switzerland, and the Working Group Youth and Family.
Organizers argue the policy is internally contradictory. "Anyone who speaks of cost containment while simultaneously introducing new mandatory benefits at the expense of all premium payers is acting contradictorily," the March for Life organizing committee said. "Additional services lead to higher costs, and these hit families particularly hard."
The groups also contend the change compels all insured Swiss residents to co-finance abortions regardless of their ethical or religious beliefs — a requirement they say conflicts with the freedom of conscience guaranteed under Article 15 of the Swiss Federal Constitution.
Livenet.ch reported that organizers cite statistics claiming 97 percent of abortions performed up to the 12th week of pregnancy are carried out for psychosocial reasons, and they argue there is no scientific evidence that abortion effectively improves a woman's health under standard criteria of effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-efficiency.
March for Life said it does not oppose insurance coverage for miscarriages, palliative births, or cases where an abortion is the only way to preserve the mother's life. What it opposes is blanket public funding of elective procedures through a system all residents are required to pay into.
Beatrice Gall, president of "Marsch fürs Läbe," framed the petition in terms of solidarity. "Solidarity means supporting people in difficult situations — not blanket shifting personal decisions onto the entire insured community," she said, according to Livenet.ch. "With this petition, we want to relieve the burden on families and strengthen the principle of solidarity."
The organization is calling instead for expanded counseling and support services for women in difficult pregnancies, along with broader access to information about the potential physical and psychological consequences of abortion.
The 16th March for Life is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2026, in Zurich-Oerlikon, under the theme "Together for Life."
