Conclusion

Abstract

This volume presents a description and analysis of the health reform experiences of 12 small and medium-sized nations across the world during the last quarter of the 20th century and the early decades of the 21st century. As mentioned in the introduction, the countries vary in population size, ethnic composition, income levels, healthcare arrangements, cultural backgrounds and styles of policy-making. In that sense, the volume represents a “most different system design” under a broad, common analytical approach. Still, the nations have some important elements in common. They share the overall policy goal of providing universal health coverage (UHC)—access to healthcare for all—with financing that protects families against catastrophic costs of medical care. They seek to safeguard the availability of decent healthcare services, at affordable costs and without insurmountable financial barriers. They faced similar challenges: fiscal and budgetary pressures, demographic and epidemiological transitions, changing consumer preferences and changing views on the proper role of the state.