The choice agenda in European health systems: the role of middle-class demands

Abstract

Choice for patients, over varying aspects of healthcare, is becoming an increasingly common feature in Europe, especially in tax-funded healthcare systems. This paper investigates patients’ choice of healthcare provider. The middle class, in countries implementing choice reforms, is shown to have a pronounced preference for the availability of choice as a component of a quality healthcare system. Important implications of this for theory and policy are discussed.

Keywords:

• Healthcare
• middle-class demands
• provider choice
• tax-funded health systems

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Joan Costa-Font

Joan Costa-Font is an associate professor (reader) in the Department of Social Policy and the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK.

Valentina Zigante

Valentina Zigante is a research officer in LSE Health & Social Care, London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK.