Spain: Health System Review.

Spain: Health System Review. Health Syst Transit. 2018 May;20(2):1-179 Authors: Bernal-Delgado E, Garcia-Armesto S, Oliva J, Sanchez Martinez FI, Repullo JR, Pena-Longobardo LM, Ridao-Lopez M, Hernandez-Quevedo C Abstract This analysis of the Spanish health system reviews recent developments in organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms and health system performance. Overall health status continues to improve in Spain, and life expectancy is the highest in the European Union. Inequalities in self-reported health have also declined in the last decade, although long-standing disability and chronic conditions are increasing due to an ageing population. The macroeconomic context in the last decade in the country has been characterized by the global economic recession, which resulted in the implementation of health system-specific measures addressed to maintain the sustainability of the system. New legislation was issued to regulate coverage conditions, the benefits package and the participation of patients in the National Health System funding. Despite the budget constraints linked to the economic downturn, the health system remains almost universal, covering 99.1% of the population. Public expenditure in health prevails, with public sources accounting for over 71.1% of total health financing. General taxes are the main source of public funds, with regions (known as Autonomous Communities) managi...
Source: Health systems in transition - Category: Health Management Tags: Health Syst Transit Source Type: news