Equity objectives in Portuguese health policy

Portugal

“…The 1979 Law Creating the National Health Service (56/79) builds on the 10 constitutional right to health to guarantee all citizens access to medical and social services. As in some other transition countries, the establishment of a new welfare state that provided equal and universal access to health care through a national health service symbolized the move to democracy (Guillén 2002;Pereira 1990;Oliveira & Pinto 2005). However, even though the SNS claimed to be universal, some of the pre-existing occupational health insurance schemes were left untouched, principally the civil servants' schemes.…”

Portugal

“…The 1979 Law Creating the National Health Service (56/79) builds on the 10 constitutional right to health to guarantee all citizens access to medical and social services. As in some other transition countries, the establishment of a new welfare state that provided equal and universal access to health care through a national health service symbolized the move to democracy (Guillén 2002;Pereira 1990;Oliveira & Pinto 2005). However, even though the SNS claimed to be universal, some of the pre-existing occupational health insurance schemes were left untouched, principally the civil servants' schemes.…”

Portuguese healthcare reforms in the context of crisis: External pressure or domestic choice?

“…The first tier was the NHS, universally available, financed, and operated by the public sector; the second was the SHI with schemes for specific occupations, and the third was a voluntary private health insurance, financed by individuals or third parties and subsidized by the state. This three-tier structure contributed to the system deficiencies as it created inequalities in healthcare access across population groups (Jamieson, van der Geest, & Pereira, 1990). In addition to universal coverage provided by the NHS, around 25% of the population enjoyed coverage through the various occupational SHI schemes and private insurance plans (Barros et al, 2011, p. 29), which offered easier access and greater choice of providers than the NHS coverage.…”

Portugal

“…The 1979 Law Creating the National Health Service (56/79) builds on the 10 constitutional right to health to guarantee all citizens access to medical and social services. As in some other transition countries, the establishment of a new welfare state that provided equal and universal access to health care through a national health service symbolized the move to democracy (Guillén 2002;Pereira 1990;Oliveira & Pinto 2005). However, even though the SNS claimed to be universal, some of the pre-existing occupational health insurance schemes were left untouched, principally the civil servants' schemes.…”

Portuguese healthcare reforms in the context of crisis: External pressure or domestic choice?

“…The first tier was the NHS, universally available, financed, and operated by the public sector; the second was the SHI with schemes for specific occupations, and the third was a voluntary private health insurance, financed by individuals or third parties and subsidized by the state. This three-tier structure contributed to the system deficiencies as it created inequalities in healthcare access across population groups (Jamieson, van der Geest, & Pereira, 1990). In addition to universal coverage provided by the NHS, around 25% of the population enjoyed coverage through the various occupational SHI schemes and private insurance plans (Barros et al, 2011, p. 29), which offered easier access and greater choice of providers than the NHS coverage.…”

Portugal

“…The 1979 Law Creating the National Health Service (56/79) builds on the 10 constitutional right to health to guarantee all citizens access to medical and social services. As in some other transition countries, the establishment of a new welfare state that provided equal and universal access to health care through a national health service symbolized the move to democracy (Guillén 2002;Pereira 1990;Oliveira & Pinto 2005). However, even though the SNS claimed to be universal, some of the pre-existing occupational health insurance schemes were left untouched, principally the civil servants' schemes.…”

Portuguese healthcare reforms in the context of crisis: External pressure or domestic choice?

“…The first tier was the NHS, universally available, financed, and operated by the public sector; the second was the SHI with schemes for specific occupations, and the third was a voluntary private health insurance, financed by individuals or third parties and subsidized by the state. This three-tier structure contributed to the system deficiencies as it created inequalities in healthcare access across population groups (Jamieson, van der Geest, & Pereira, 1990). In addition to universal coverage provided by the NHS, around 25% of the population enjoyed coverage through the various occupational SHI schemes and private insurance plans (Barros et al, 2011, p. 29), which offered easier access and greater choice of providers than the NHS coverage.…”