IMF Working Papers

Health Care Reform in Greece: Progress and Reform Priorities

By Niki Kalavrezou, Hui Jin

July 16, 2021

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Niki Kalavrezou, and Hui Jin. Health Care Reform in Greece: Progress and Reform Priorities, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2021) accessed December 6, 2024

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

We review Greek public sector healthcare policies and health-related outcomes since 2010.We find that excess spending was successfully curtailed, elements of the institutional framework were modernized, and health outcomes have been relatively favorable. However, especially prior to Covid-19, public healthcare spending had been compressed to potentially unsustainable levels, with widening inequalities and large unmet needs, especially among the poor. Higher public spending and advancing structural healthcare reforms are needed to improve the efficiency and equity of the Greek healthcare system, including strengthening primary healthcare, reducing out-of-pocket payments, and eliminating remaining insurance gaps.

Subject: Expenditure, Health, Health care spending, Total expenditures

Keywords: Europe, Health care spending, Health insurance, Health outcome, Health policy, Healthcare, Healthcare policy, Healthcare reform, Reform priority, Structural reforms, Total expenditures

Publication Details

  • Pages:

    39

  • Volume:

    ---

  • DOI:

    ---

  • Issue:

    ---

  • Series:

    Working Paper No. 2021/189

  • Stock No:

    WPIEA2021189

  • ISBN:

    9781513588834

  • ISSN:

    1018-5941