Health insurance coverage in Central and Eastern Europe: Trends and challenges

Hugh R. Waters, Jessica Hobart, Christopher B. Forrest, Karen Kinder Siemens, Patricia M. Pittman, Ananthram Murthy, Glenn Bruce Vanderver, Gerard F. Anderson, Laura L. Morlock

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

20 Scopus citations

Abstract

Health insurance systems in Central and Eastern Europe have evolved in different ways from the centralized health systems inherited from the Soviet era, but there remain common trends and challenges in the region. Health spending is low in comparison to the spending of pre-2004 European Union members, but population aging, medical technology, economic growth, and heightened expectations will generate major spending pressures. Social health insurance is the dominant model in the region, but coverage is uneven. Key reform issues include identifying ways to encourage additional investment in the health sector; and defining formal benefit packages, copayments, and the role of private insurance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)478-486
Number of pages9
JournalHealth Affairs
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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