Findings on Sustainability Research Reported by Investigators at Berlin University of Technology (The 2017 reform to improve financial sustainability of national health insurance in Estonia: Analysis and first lessons on broadening the revenue …)

Insurance Daily News

2019 AUG 23 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Current study results on Sustainability Research have been published. According to news originating from Berlin, Germany, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “In 2017, the Estonian government addressed the longstanding challenge of financial sustainability of the health system by expanding its revenue base. As a relatively low-spending country on health, Estonia relies predominantly on payroll contributions from the working population, which exposes the system to economic shocks and population ageing.”

Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from the Berlin University of Technology, “In an effort to reduce these vulnerabilities, Estonia will gradually introduce a government transfer on behalf of pensioners, although long-term sustainability of the health system could still prove challenging as the overall health spending as a percentage of GDP is not expected to substantially increase. Estonia has rolled out the reform according to plan, but it has led to debate about the need to achieve universal population coverage (currently at about 95%). Moreover, the Estonian experience also holds important lessons for other countries looking to reform their health system. For example, policymakers should recognize that reforms require extensive preparation using consistent messaging over a long period of time, also to prevent prioritising short term and popular fixes over structural reforms. Additionally, collaboration between the health and financial ministries throughout the reform increases the buy-in for the reform and likelihood of adoption.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Furthermore, health professionals play a significant role in advocacy, and seeking support from this group can smooth the path towards health system reform.”

For more information on this research see: The 2017 reform to improve financial sustainability of national health insurance in Estonia: Analysis and first lessons on broadening the revenue base. Health Policy, 2019;123(8):695-699. Health Policy can be contacted at: Elsevier Ireland Ltd, Elsevier House, Brookvale Plaza, East Park Shannon, Co, Clare, 00000, Ireland. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Health Policy - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/health-policy/)

The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from E. Webb, Berlin University of Technology, European Observ Hlth Syst & Policies, Berlin, Germany. Additional authors for this research include M. Reinap, K. Kasekamp, J. Habicht and E. van Ginneken.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2019.05.019. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.