The cantonal government of Appenzell Ausserrhoden had originally wanted to cut cantonal contributions for pastoral care in hospitals for the year 2026. Following a motion by members of the EVP and the Centre Party, the cantonal parliament has now rejected this decision.

The Roman Catholic parishes and the Protestant Reformed Church together spend approximately 311,000 Swiss francs on hospital pastoral care in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. About half of this, namely 152,000 Swiss francs, is covered by the canton. The two churches share this contribution equally – and would have had to cover it themselves from 2026 onwards if the cantonal council's proposal had been approved by parliament.

The reduction in pastoral care contributions was part of a package of austerity measures and, according to cantonal councillor Yves Balmer (SP), was justifiable on the basis of the principle of separation between church and state.

Martina Tapernoux, President of the Evangelical Reformed Church of both Appenzells, had pointed out in the run-up to the Parliament's decision that hospital pastoral care was used by about half of all members of the regional churches. The canton's contributions are also essential because companies in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden do not pay church tax, nor do they pay a state contribution for services to society as a whole, as is the case in other cantons (e.g. Bern).

The motion to reject the cutbacks in hospital pastoral care was the only one that was reinstated in the budget. The decision was made by a vote of 33 to 26 (with five abstentions).