Converging trends in national health services and social health insurance systems

Abstract

Despite the difficulties in comparing the problems and solutions in the European healthcare system reforms, this paper will emphasise that there are signs of convergence among them given the way that they respond to similar challenges. By observing recent developments in national health services and social health insurance systems the focus will be on common trends. They both appear to favour models of (i) greater decentralisation of responsibilities in managing insurance coverage, (ii) population-based mechanisms to finance providers and (iii) more extensive consumer choice and additional private finance.