Debate over healthcare system reform

After 20 years of relative political inaction, pressure exerted by the recent spiralling costs of healthcare appears to have awakened broad support for fundamental reform of the Dutch system of medical expenses insurance and the organisation and structure of healthcare. In talks over the formation of a new coalition government, an agreement in principle was reached in March 2003 on the introduction of a new system in 2006. Earlier, in 2000 the tripartite advisory Social and Economic Council had issued to the former government a unanimous recommendation on reform of the system. However, agreement both between the negotiators in the coalition talks and between the social partners is fragile, and several major differences of opinion have yet to be resolved.