| Abstract |
This thesis aims to record and analyze the consequences of the economic
crisis in the health system in Greece. The extend demand for health services
and in consequence the total health expenditure in Greece, increased
significantly over time, which approaching 10% of Gross Domestic Product
(GDP) in 2011, thus exceeding the average of Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries5. The inefficiency of the
health system, the irrational spending and the lack of elections mechanisms
result on the increase in health spending in Greece.
In 2009, the ratification of the budget deficit of Greece amounted to
levels higher than those that would make public debt sustainable, and in the
mid-2010 Greece came under the supervision of the International Monetary
Fund, the European Union and the European Central Bank. The supervision
was aimed at implementing reform policies that sought to rationalize public
expenditure and thus to control public debt.
The health sector is also included as part of the reform changes in order
Δημόσια Υγεία & Διοίκηση Υπηρεσιών Υγείας
Τμήμα Ιατρικής – Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης
9
to implement policies of modernization and rationalization of the public
overall health spending.
The launch of the reform changes initialized a series of measures in order
to achieve agreed objectives of the Memorandum. The measures envisaged to
reduce public health spending to 6% of GDP by the end of 2012 and public
pharmaceutical expenditure to 1% of GDP 6.
Result of the reduction of public expenditure on health was the cut in of
funding of public hospitals (which had already deficit € 6.5 billion in 2010)
which consequently impacted on quality and quantity of services provided to
patients. In addition, the large deficits of the pension funds (4.5 billion €) and
the cutting of health insurance benefits resulted on proliferated service
problems of patients. This containment of public spending also included the
decreased salaries of the medical, nursing and other staff. Furthermore, the
recruitment for filling new and vacant positions due to retirement leading is
declined which has as a result the aging of personnel. Moreover, the necessity
to use public health services increased due to the reduction in disposable
income individual or family and turned them economically weak patients in
use of services were covered.
Reformers changes have enabled the restructuring of the health system in
Greece. The creation of new insurance carrier FBS (National Health Services)
in 2011 and the implementation of new policies in the pricing of medical
equipment and healthcare services, marked the beginning of the restructuring
of the health system
Finally, in the thesis there is a literature review that captures the impact
of the economic crisis in the health system in Greece which aims to set
proposals for economic reform and restructuring of the National Health System
(Health Service).
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Οι επιπτώσεις της οικονομικής κρίσης στο σύστημα υγείας της Ελλάδας
