Analyzing financial structure of Turkish healthcare system in comparison with U.S., German, British, French and Cuban healthcare systems

Abstract

Financial structure of healthcare systems and the share reserved for healthcare expenses are regarded by countries as very important indicators of economic development. Healthcare expenses are, therefore, among most important agenda items for healthcare policy makers. Finance of healthcare services is still a heated debate item in both public and private sector. Negative economic conditions, fiscal deficits and pressures imposed by international credit institutions all lead to mobilization of private sources for public expenditures and market-based financing model in healthcare sector. All states aim equal access to quality and efficient healthcare services at service delivery phase, irrespective of the method adopted. Healthcare services should be quality and accessible by all citizens in order to realize the “right of healthy life”. Healthcare services should be, therefore, efficiently and effectively financed. Aim of this study is to address and analyze methods used in financing Turkish healthcare services and to compare thereof with financial structures of U.S., U.K., France, Germany and Cuba, which represent distinctive healthcare finance models worldwide. In this end, active applications in Turkey are reviewed by addressing pros and cons of Turkish healthcare finance model in comparison with other systems