The Netherlands: reform of the health system based on competition and privatisation
Reform of the Dutch health system, which began in 2006, is based on the introduction of competitive mechanisms within the general curative care compartment. On 1 January 2006, the distinction between public health funds and private insurance funds ended and health insurance became privatised. The Du...
Guardat en:
| Autors principals: | , , |
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| Format: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Idioma: | Français |
| Publicat: |
2006
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| Accés en línia: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumari: | Reform of the Dutch health system, which began in 2006, is based on the introduction of competitive mechanisms within the general curative care compartment. On 1 January 2006, the distinction between public health funds and private insurance funds ended and health insurance became privatised. The Dutch freely chose their health insurer and pay a premium that is no longer income-based, but varies according to the insurers and the policy chosen. The public authorities, who are aware of the problems posed by a mechanism that could allow health insurers to practise risk selection, have implemented various measures intended to balance relationships between the different players: a risk equalisation system, a standard health basket, mandatory insurance for all and prohibition of the differentiation of premiums in relation to risk.Several issues remain, nonetheless: the effectiveness of tax measures taken to compensate the non-redistributive effects of a flat-rate premium that penalises even more on the poorest, the quality of information for the insured in order to allow them to make a clear choice and the effectiveness of turning insurers into health care operators capable of negotiating with professionals not only regarding rates, but also regarding quality. |
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