The Swiss and Dutch health insurance systems: universal coverage and regulated competitive insurance markets

The Swiss and Dutch health insurance systems: universal coverage and regulated competitive insurance markets

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Author(s):
Leu, Robert E., author
Rutten, F. F. H., author
Brouwer, Werner, author
Matter, Pius, author
Rütschi, Christian, author
Contributor(s):
Commonwealth Fund, issuing body.
Publication:
[New York, N.Y.] : Commonwealth Fund, January 2009
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Health Care Reform -- organization & administration
Insurance, Health -- economics
Universal Health Insurance -- organization & administration
Netherlands
Switzerland
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
As the United States resumes debate over options for achieving universal health coverage, policymakers are once again examining insurance systems in other industrialized countries. More recent attention has focused on countries that combine universal coverage with private insurance and regulated market competition. Switzerland and the Netherlands, in particular, have drawn attention for their use of individual mandates combined with public oversight of insurance markets. This paper provides an overview of the Swiss and Dutch insurance systems, which embody some of the same concepts that have guided health reforms adopted in Massachusetts and considered by other states and by federal policymakers. The two systems have many features in common: an individual mandate, standardized basic benefits, a tightly regulated insurance market, and funding schemes that make coverage affordable for low- and middle-income families. Differences include degree of centralization, basis of competition among insurers, availability of managed care, and reliance on patient cost-sharing to influence care-seeking behavior.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (x, 29 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
101517525 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101517525