Health Systems in Transition - Hungary - World Health Organization ...

6. Principal health reforms
6.1 Analysis of recent reforms
This chapter considers in detail the major reforms and policy interventions
that have taken place since the previous HiT profile on Hungary was
published in 2004. It sets these within their context and explains their
impact on health and health service provision. The chapter considers the major
reforms already implemented, as well as those that failed or were passed but
never implemented, and provides an overview of future developments. For
more details on older reforms and related policies, the chapter refers where
appropriate to other sections of the present volume.
In the area of health system governance and organization, the chapter focuses
on a third (and ultimately unsuccessful) attempt made to introduce managed
competition to the health insurance system; the HISA; capacity regulation;
the ownership and management of health care providers; coordination in
health care; and intersectorality and public health. In the area of health
system financing, the chapter describes important reforms made to revenue
collection; the pharmaceutical market; provider payment methods; and user
charges. Section 6.2 concludes the chapter by providing a brief outline of future
developments.
6.1.1 Reforms of health system governance and organization
Third attempt to introduce managed competition to the health insurance
system
Starting in 2006, one of the highest priorities of the government was to
introduce managed competition to the SHI system by replacing the NHIFA/
HIF with multiple health insurers that would be under partial private ownership.
The stated aim of this change was to reduce inequities in the use of health
care services, to improve efficiency and to ensure financial sustainability and
6. Principal health reforms