Healthcare reforms and cost reduction strategies in Europe: The cases of Germany, UK, Switzerland, Italy and France

摘要

Purpose - This paper aims to analyse health reforms carried out in a sample of European countries.rnDesign/methodology/approach - Using a country-specific approach, outstanding health reform rnfeatures such as: greater competition between sickness funds in Germany; fund-holding practices in rnthe UK; managed care models in Switzerland; health networks in France; and healthcare system rndecentralisation in Italy are analysed.rnFinding - There have been different approaches to controlling healthcare costs. Some states relied on rnpublic sector competition by creating quasi-markets (UK), insurance sector competition, particularly in rnSwitzerland and Germany, organisational reforms in France by creating health networks and rndecentralisation in Italy.rnResearch limitations/implications - Societal and legal aspects are not discussed.rnOriginality/value - The paper compares healthcare reform effectiveness in a number of western rnEuropean countries.