Healthcare reform in Europe

Abstract

The European welfare states are currently struggling with tremendous budget problems. Most debate appears to be concerned with how to cut healthcare costs. Unfortunately, limiting the state's costs, rather than enhancing the people's well-being, has become the prime focus of new healthcare strategies in the European welfare states. The result has been a reduction in the quality and availability of healthcare services and a diminishing contribution to medical innovation by most European countries. Abandonment of the 'pay-as-you-go' financing system is the only solution to increasingly unsustainable welfare state healthcare systems. A system financed by a capitalisation mechanism would be protected from the increasing costs associated with demographic evolution, while providing all members of society with the opportunity for affordable healthcare coverage.