## Health Care Reform in Greece: Progress and Reform Priorities

_IMF Working Papers, July 16, 2021_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Health Care Reform in Greece: Progress and Reform Priorities](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/07/16/health-care-reform-in-greece-progress-and-reform-priorities-461835)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/07/16/health-care-reform-in-greece-progress-and-reform-priorities-461835/index.md)
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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Niki Kalavrezou, Hui Jin
- Published: July 16, 2021
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513588834.001

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### Overview and authorship
- Title: Health Care Reform in Greece: Progress and Reform Priorities
- Authors: Niki Kalavrezou, Hui Jin
- Publication date: July 16, 2021
- Series: Working Paper No. 2021/189
- Issue: 189
- Volume: 2021
- Pages: 39
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513588834.001
- ISBN: 9781513588834
- ISSN: 1018-5941

### Core findings
- Excess spending was successfully curtailed.
- Elements of the institutional framework were modernized.
- Health outcomes have been relatively favorable.
- Especially prior to Covid-19, public healthcare spending had been compressed to potentially unsustainable levels.
- Widening inequalities and large unmet needs were observed, especially among the poor.

### Policy conclusions and reform priorities
- Higher public spending is needed to improve the Greek healthcare system.
- Advance structural healthcare reforms to improve efficiency and equity, including:
  - Strengthening primary healthcare.
  - Reducing out-of-pocket payments.
  - Eliminating remaining insurance gaps.

### Subject classification and keywords
- 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

*IMF Working Papers*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Working Paper**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2021/07/16/health-care-reform-in-greece-progress-and-reform-priorities-461835_