Consumer choice in Dutch health insurance after reform.
This article investigates the scope and effects of enhanced consumer choice in health insurance that is presented as a cornerstone of the new health insurance legislation in the Netherlands that will come into effect in 2006. The choice for choice marks the current libertarian trend in Dutch health care policymaking. One of our conclusions is that the scope of enhanced choice should not be overstated due to many legal and non-legal restrictions to it. The consumer choice advocates have great expectations of the impact of enhanced choice. A critical analysis of its impact demonstrates that these expectations may not become true and that enhanced consumer choice should not be perceived as the 'magic bullet' for many problems in health care.
Maarse
Hans
H
Department Health Organisation, Policy and Economics, University of Maastricht, Netherlands. H.Maarse@BEOZ.unimaas.nl
Meulen
Ruud Ter
RT
D002755:Choice Behavior; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D017048:Health Care Costs; D018166:Health Care Reform; D019981:Health Care Sector; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009426:Netherlands; D026706:Paternalism; D017149:Private Sector; D012941:Social Responsibility