Web-economic-crisis-health-systems-and-health-web

The Netherlands
Ronald Batenburg and Paul Poortvliet
Economic trends
• Real per capita GDP in the Netherlands declined in 2009 by 4.5% and
returned to modest growth in 2010. The budget deficit increased in 2009
as government spending, already high for the European region relative to
the size of its economy, was maintained.
• Unemployment has remained low since 2008 but started to increase in
2010 among younger age groups as a result of low labour market mobility.
• Ten-year bond rates have decreased between 2008 and 2011. The total
household mortgage debt in the Netherlands remains exceptionally high
compared with EU levels.
• Health spending as a share of government spending is above the European
mean and public per capita health care spending did not decline during
the crisis. OOP expenditure per capita decreased in 2009 by 9.9% (the
Netherlands: Figs 1 and 2).
Policy responses
Changes to public funding for the health system
• The health budget increased by 13% between 2008 and 2011. In 2013,
the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (Ministry of Health) reached
an agreement with insurers and health care providers to limit annual
growth in hospital and primary care expenditure to 1.5% in 2014 and
1% in 2015–2017.
• The ceiling on SHI contributions was raised from €50 064 to €50 853
(2012); SHI contributions were increased from 5% to 5.56% for
employees and from 7.1% to 7.5% for employers (2013).
Changes to health coverage
Population (entitlement)
• No response reported.
The benefits package
• In 2007, coverage for “light” long-term care provided in nursing homes
was transferred from the Medical Expenses Act to the Social Support Act.