Six Countries, six health reform models? health care reform in Chile, Israel, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and The Netherlands

Abstract

This research contribution presents a diagnosis of the health reform experience of six small and mid-sized industrial democracies: Chile, Israel, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and The Netherlands during the last decades of the twentieth century. It addresses the following questions: why have these six countries, facing similar pressures to reform their health care systems, with similar options for government action, chosen very different pathways to restructure their health care? What did they do? And what happened after the implementation of those reforms? The article describes the current arrangements for funding, contracting and payment, ownership and administration (or "governance") of health care at the beginning of the twentyfirst century, the origins of the health care reforms, the discussion and choice of policy options, processes of implementation and "after reform adjustments". The article looks at factors that help explain the variety in reform paths, such as national politics, dominant cultural orientations and the positions of major stakeholders. © 2010 The Editor.