The Hungarian conference on healthcare financing examined reforms in pharmaceutical policy, resource allocation, and digital transformation. Experts highlighted economic constraints, workforce shortages, and poor health outcomes. Key discussions included AI integration, expanded medical roles, and the new Batthyány-Strattmann László Foundation to improve equitable access, promoting sustainable, transparent, and patient-centered healthcare reform.
A national conference in Hungary, themed “Struggle or Compromise? Resource Creation and Allocation in the Transformation of Hungarian Healthcare Financing,” examined the evolving challenges of health system reform, financial sustainability, and equitable access. Organized amid broader structural changes, it explored policy directions in pharmaceutical financing, taxation, and compassionate-use programs, reflecting an urgent need to adapt the country’s healthcare model to shifting economic conditions and public health demands.
Speakers acknowledged Hungary’s fragile reform capacity within the current economic context. Since the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, GDP growth has remained modest compared to neighboring EU states. Although government spending continues to support the broader economy, investments in health, education, and social welfare remain well below EU27 and V4 averages. Péter Ákos Bod, professor emeritus at Corvinus University, urged caution in assessing Hungary’s economic outlook, citing geopolitical uncertainty, technological disruption, and climate-related instability as major risks.
Persistent public health issues compound these economic challenges. Hungary continues to display high rates of obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption, contributing to poor health outcomes—the lowest number of healthy life years and the highest preventable mortality in the region. Despite generally good access to healthcare services, workforce shortages, particularly among nurses and caregivers, are becoming critical concerns. Judit Fendler of the University of Szeged emphasized that better health outcomes depend not only on acute care financing but also on prevention, public awareness, and long-term care development.
Discussions also covered international influences on Hungarian healthcare, notably possible ripple effects from U.S. pharmaceutical pricing reforms. If the U.S. adopts a European-style reference pricing model, Hungarian drug prices could be indirectly affected. NEAK’s Tamás Dávid warned that without safeguards, global pricing shifts could disrupt the national reimbursement system, potentially prompting the need for a new model.
Reform directions outlined by Deputy State Secretary Judit Bidló emphasized digitalization, expanded professional roles, and AI integration in healthcare. Proposed measures include broader prescribing rights for general practitioners, increased pharmacist responsibilities, and the development of an AI-based analytics environment within the national eHealth System (EESZT) to enhance data-driven decision-making.
A major highlight was the establishment of the Batthyány-Strattmann László Foundation for Healing, created in 2025 to ensure equitable patient access to uninsured medicines. With a budget exceeding HUF 39.5 billion, the foundation has already processed thousands of applications and aims to expedite case reviews and integrate digital systems while maintaining transparency and equal opportunity.
The conference concluded with consensus that reforming Hungarian healthcare financing requires a careful balance between innovation and inclusivity—anchored in transparency, collaboration, and public trust—to build a sustainable and patient-centered system.
