The Health Outcomes in Recession: Preliminarily Findings for Greece

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to provide an overview of recent reforms in Greece as imposed by the fiscal adjustments. Potential harmful consequences of these vast healthcare reforms are also discussed, as a collateral victim of the recession, in which case the real “patient” is the overall healthcare system. Based on an extended review of the related literature, the economic crisis, currently numbering five years in Greece, was accompanied by vast healthcare reforms and significant cuts in spending. In particular, austerity measures implemented, impose that health expenditure should not exceed 6% as a share of GDP. Savings were expected to be accomplished through vast changes, including the redetermination of both pharmaceutical reimbursement and pricing, reduction of public servants and cost containment regarding payments to the private sector. So far, there is a significant rise in demand for public hospital services, following a significant drop for private providers, including maternity hospitals, dental offices and surgery clinics. At the same time, elevated prevalence of certain diseases is already reported, although many researchers dispute over a causal association between recession and these health outcomes. Conclusively, it can be argued that the financial crisis is a no easy way out, and the Greek healthcare system is challenged as both resources and demand are rapidly changing. What is yet to answer is whether these reforms, along with a co-existing rise in demand of health services, could jeopardize the quality of the system.