Analysing the Greek health system: a tale of fragmentation and inertia.
The Greek health system does not yet offer universal coverage and has fragmented funding and delivery. Funding is regressive, with a reliance on informal payments, and there are inequities in access, supply and quality of services. Inefficiencies arise from an over reliance on relatively expensive inputs, as evidenced by the oversupply of specialists and under-supply of nurses. Resource allocation mechanisms are historical and political with no relation to performance or output, therefore providers have little incentive to improve productivity. Some options for future health system reform include focusing on coordinating funding by developing a monopsony purchaser with the aim of improving quality of services and efficiency in the health system and changing provider incentives to improve productivity.
Mossialos
Elias
E
London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Health and Social Care, UK. e.a.mossialos@lse.ac.uk
Allin
Sara
S
Davaki
Konstantina
K
D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006115:Greece; D015276:Health Care Rationing / Q000458:organization & administration; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms / Q000458:organization & administration