Governments in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly considering national health insurance schemes (NHIS) to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). This article examines the political economy surrounding the establishment of Zambia's NHIS in 2018,...
The other health care system in Germany: care for people without health insurance
A study identified 128 institutions in Germany providing healthcare to uninsured individuals. The care offered was varied and often reliant on private donations, with specialties including general medicine, gynecology, and psychiatry, but overall access was uneven and...

Iceland’s Act on the Integration of Services in the Interest of Children’s Prosperity (“Prosperity Act”)
Iceland’s Act on the Integration of Services in the Interest of Children’s Prosperity (“Prosperity Act”) seeks to enhance child well-being by ensuring the provision of comprehensive services to children and families early in the policy process. The formal development...

PhilHealth Zero Subsidy: Reflection of Government Neglect
The decision to completely cut the government subsidy for PhilHealth has sparked criticism, as the agency faces scrutiny over its significant reserve funds while many Filipinos struggle with rising healthcare costs. With the subsidy elimination, PhilHealth will rely...

Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector
The German parliament has approved a law to restructure the healthcare system, reducing the number of hospitals, expanding clinics, and streamlining bureaucracy through digitalization. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach described the reform as a "revolution."Germany's...
An Analysis of Laws on Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina
European Union's Council of Europe posted the following legal analysis report on its page dedicated to Social Security Coordination and Social Security Reforms: Document title: “An Analysis of Laws on Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Entity, Brcko District...

Austria’s Federal Law will enact “digital before outpatient before inpatient” principle for health financing sustainability
Federal Law "Vereinbarungsumsetzungsgesetz" (VUG) 2024 introduced changes to 13 laws to reform healthcare and to create the legal framework for the revision of planning. The bill aims to strengthen the private practice sector, expand digital services, support health...
The State program “Health of the people and demographic security” for 2021-2025 of the Republic of Belarus
By Resolution No. 28 of the Council of Ministers dated January 19, 2021, the State Program "Public Health and Demographic Security" for 2021-2025 was approved. Its goal is to create conditions for improving the health of the population, covering all stages of life,...

Bulgarian court’s suspension of financial limits on care volume will worsen the budget deficit
On Friday, 13 September, the Supreme Administrative Court finally suspended all financial limits on treatment for Bulgarian patients. This will increase the budget deficit faced by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which is now obliged to pay hospitals even if...
Health Insurance Law of North Macedonia
Based on Article 75, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Macedonia, the President of the Republic of Macedonia and the President of the Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia approved the Law on Health Insurance through Decree on promulgation of...
The Health Care Insurance Act of the Republic of Serbia
The Health Care Insurance Act of the Republic of Serbia was originally published in the "Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia" Nos. 107/05 and 109/05 in the year 2005. The Act provides access to healthcare services and financial support during times of medical...
Law on health insurance of Slovakia of 21 October 2004
The Law on health insurance of Slovakia, signed by the Prime Minister of Slovakia Mikulas Dzurinda, and adopted by the Parliament of the Slovak Republic (Národná rada Slovenskej republiky) establishes health insurance, legal relations arising from health insurance and...
Staying the Course: Reflections on the Progress and Challenges of the UHC Law in the Philippines
The Philippine UHC law, enacted in 2019, aims to enhance equitable access to quality health services by reforming the PhilHealth and supporting local government units through a Special Health Fund. Despite facing implementation challenges, the initiative highlights...
Health Services Fundamental Law of Turkey No.3359 of 1987
The Fundamental Law on Health Services (Law No. 3359), enacted in 1987, establishes the core principles for organizing and managing healthcare services across Turkey. It outlines both the rights and responsibilities of healthcare providers, patients, and institutions...
Law of Moldova about the compulsory health insurance Nr. 1585 / 1998
The analysis of Republic of Moldova's Law No. 1585 on Mandatory Health Insurance, updated as of October 26, 2023, focuses on the main provisions, objectives, and implications of the mandatory health insurance system within the country. The Mandatory Health Insurance...