Danemark : en route vers une santé à 2 vitesses

Fort développement des assurances privées pour couvrir les dépenses de santé au Danemark.
En 6 ans le nombre d'assurances a été multiplié par 4 passant de 150000 à 600000.
9 assurances sur 10 sont payées par les entreprises à leurs salariés les plus qualifiés en guise de compléments salariaux.

La santé a deux vitesses est  en route pour faire face à une dégradation du système de santé et de protection sociale.

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PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE INCREASINGLY POPULAR

Private insurance programmes pit the benefits of additional health care against an erosion of the concept of equal treatment for all

The number of people with private health insurance in Denmark has increased dramatically in recent years, according to industry figures expected to be released on Friday.

One in five people holding full-time employment now have private coverage on top of the free universal coverage provided by the state’s cradle-to-grave social welfare system In 2001 the number of people with private health insurance was 150,000. Today it stands at 600,000.

Insurance industry representatives believed the trend helps to alleviate pressure on what they consider an ‘overburdened’ health care system.

‘Today we fill gaps if people are dissatisfied with the national health service,’ Per Bremmer, managing director of the Danish Insurance Association. ‘It is something that is happening automatically.’

Nevertheless, Bremmer said it was necessary to set up a clear definition of what types of treatment should be available to all and what should remain private.

Experts, however, point to the fact that nine out of 10 insurance policies are paid for by companies. Many of the policies are given as fringe benefits to employees in highly paid positions, leading some to worry that the access to extra care would undermine the concept of equal care for all.

Members of parliament, however, said that private health insurance policies allowed people to secure care above and beyond what the state provided.

‘We want a good public system, but we can’t provide all forms of treatment,’ said Birthe Skaarup, health policy spokesperson for the Danish People’s Party, for which healthcare is a hallmark issue. ‘If the national health service doesn’t give you what you want, then it’s fine for people to seek private help.’

The country is currently facing a lack of healthcare workers. And while some analysts predicted that a greater reliance on private healthcare providers would worsen the situation, Skaarup believed that it would free up resources for the national health service.

The Copenhagen Post

Edited September 21, 2007