Universal mandatory health insurance in the Netherlands: a model for the United States?
Policy analysts consider the Netherlands health system a possible model for the United States. Since 2006 all Dutch citizens have to buy standardized individual health insurance coverage from a private insurer. Consumers have an annual choice among insurers, and insurers can selectively contract or integrate with health care providers. Subsidies make health insurance affordable for everyone. A Risk Equalization Fund compensates insurers for enrollees with predictably high medical expenses. The reform is a work in progress. So far the emphasis has been on the health insurance market. The challenge is now to successfully reform the market for the provision of health care.
van de Ven
Wynand P M M
WP
Institute of Health Policy and Management at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Schut
Frederik T
FT
D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics; D049673:History, 20th Century; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D037141:Mandatory Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D009426:Netherlands; D019472:Universal Health Insurance / Q000266:history / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*