Facts
The applicant R. filed an application for a reduction in health insurance premiums for the year 1996. The compensation fund of the canton of Solothurn granted him a premium reduction of 120 francs for the year 1996. On appeal, the insurance court of the canton of Solothurn denied the applicant's right to a premium reduction and referred the matter back to the compensation fund to examine the question of reimbursement. The applicant then filed an administrative law appeal with the Federal Insurance Court, requesting a premium reduction of 402.05 francs.Considerations
The Federal Insurance Court considers that the cantonal rules governing the reduction of premiums in health insurance in accordance with Art. 65 of the Federal Health Insurance Act (HIA) constitute autonomous cantonal law. Consequently, a final cantonal decision cannot, in principle, be referred to the Federal Insurance Court by way of an administrative law appeal. Only cases where the premium reduction is based on the…