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This statistic shows the answers to the survey statement: "The mandatory excess (in Dutch: verplicht eigen risico) is an important topic when I vote*". During the surveyed period, approximately ** percent of the respondents answered mandatory excess was not an important topic for them. In 2018, the total mandatory excess was expected to reach a value of *** euros. This is an increase of the *** euros reached in both 2017 and 2016. The number for 2018 was at the time unclear and would be finalized on October 1, 2017.

On September 19, the demissionary Dutch government of Rutte II, consisting of the liberal People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the social democratic Labour party (PvdA) announced that they would increase the total mandatory excess to *** euros for 2018. The financial plans of this government, however, are not final as they are officially a "caretaker government", waiting for the new government to arrive after the Dutch elections in March 2017. This new government, most likely to be Rutte III and consisting of the liberal VVD, the Christian Democrats (CDA), the liberal-progressive party D66 and the Christian conservatives (Christenunie), stated in a parliamentary debate on September 20 they did not want to increase the mandatory excess, remaining *** euros like in 2017 and 2016. To do so, this measure has to be approved in a parliamentary session before the deadline on October 1.

In the Netherlands, every resident or employee is obliged to take a basic health insurance to cover medical costs from, for example, visits to a general practitioner or the hospital. The Dutch government decides on the cover provided by this package and health insurance companies are obliged to accept everyone who meets the requirements, regardless of age or state of health. It is compulsory, however, from the age of ** to pay a total mandatory excess (in Dutch: verplicht eigen risico) before the basic insurance reimburses medical costs. This principle was introduced in the Dutch Health Insurance Act (Zvw) in 2008. This mandatory excess can be increased with an additional voluntary excess (in Dutch: vrijwillig eigen risico), in exchange for a lower premium. In 2014, the average annual premium for addtionnal health insurance reached a value of approximately *** euros per person.