Liberalization of the Dutch health care system

Description:

Due to developments in society (ageing population, increased consumerism) and medical technology there will stay an upwards pressure to health care expenditures. Government will keep the responsibility for accessibility, quality and affordability of health care for all citizens, but it defines this role more facilitating. Liberalization means less government involvement in the health care procurement market. The health care procurement market in the Netherlands is defined as the market between sellers (hospitals) and buyers (mostly insurers, but in the future maybe also employer and individuals).

Liberalization will lead to all kinds of new health organization models, like Health Maintenance Organizations (cooperation between insurance and hospital, e.g. USA), hospital-nursing homes combinations, but also listed hospitals. As from 2012 it will be possible for hospitals to make a profit.

Enablers:

o The increase of health care cost will urge the government to introduce more efficient, market oriented systems. The current Dutch government adagio is “market where possible, and only intervene when necessary
o In the current budget system all capital expenditures are separately funded and guaranteed by government. As from 2012 hospitals will be fully responsible for their income and production (WTZi).
o The new hospital financing system (DBC’s) makes differences between hospitals in price and quality visible. By that competition between hospitals will increase

Inhibitors:

• Open source developments
• Anti-trust lawsuits against standard software suppliers.
• Quite high prices for standard software

Paradigms:

Developments like these will decrease the domination of companies like Microsoft

Experts:

• Software developers
• Business ICT managers

Timing:

No information is needed to understand this driving force.