The Price of Health in Bulgaria: Shared Responsibilities and Cash Flows

Abstract

The present article is an attempt to derive and trace the relationship between institutional responsibilities and cash flows for the implementation of the national health policy. An overview is made of the regulatory framework, the shared public-private responsibility and the state spending policy for maintaining the health system in the country. Bulgaria is presented in a comparative plan in relation to the other members of the European Union. The unsatisfactory level of public expenditure and at the same time the high private expenditure incurred by Bulgarians for their health are highlighted. An analysis has been made of the main indicators related to the cost of health: total costs for health care, incl. public and private spending. The article supports the thesis that public spending should be increased and alternative forms of financing the health care system in Bulgaria should be sought. The goal is to achieve a higher quality of health services, but not at the expense of the household budget. This need is dictated by the established direct and positive relationship between public funding and life expectancy.