OVERLEGEN 3-2014 30 ›› Plus this is done with the patients’ participation. ECHI feels many other countries can learn from the Dutch approach, but the excellent performance levels would be even more impressive with better cost efficiency. However, this doesn’t appear to cause any problems, as long as the Dutch people are prepared to pay for expensive care. Practice has shown that this is no longer simply a matter of course for Dutch citizens. Another aspect is that health insurers have taken on the role of buying the best possible care at the lowest possible costs. Healthcare institutes are thereby forced to take a critical look at their care processes and apply increased efficiency wherever possible. The National Association of Doctors in Employment feel it’s important for every euro spent on healthcare to be spent as carefully as possible. Doctors play a crucial role in this regard and must have a position which allows them to fulfil this. Professional medical independence is the starting point here; the doctor will decide what type of care a patient needs. Characteristics of the Dutch healthcare system The Dutch healthcare system works with a number of basic assumptions. First of all, the Dutch government guarantees that good quality healthcare is available and accessible for everyone. This means that the health insurers are not permitted to refuse anyone for the so-called basic insurance. This insurance covers all essential care which you, as a citizen, may need. This compensation will become applicable once the citizen has paid his annual deductibles. The premium for the basic insurance package is not linked to an individual’s health situation, but will vary per insurer. The basic insurance package is compulsory for every citizen and everyone will pay the appropriate premium. From a solidarity perspective, citizens on a low income will receive a financial allowance from the government for this insurance premium. The Dutch healthcare system is the best in Europe Dr. Christiaan Keijzer and Therèse van ’t Westende MSc. The Netherlands has been awarded the title of being the European country with the best healthcare system for the third time in a row. This is apparent from the ‘Euro Health Consumer Index 2013 (ECHI)’ report. This report has been published in Sweden-based think tank Health Consumer Powerhouse (HCP) since 2005. The study has identified the secret weapon as the fact that operational decisions in relation to healthcare are not made by politicians in the Netherlands, but by medical professionals. Dr. Christiaan Keijzer is the LAD’s president and works as an anaesthesiologist at the Radboud University Medical Centre. Therèse van ’t Westende MSc. is the executive secretary at the LAD’s offices. More information: www.lad.nl Artikkelen er skrevet på oppfordring fra Overlegen
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