Social security reform for economic transition: the case of the Czech Republic

Coulter, Fiona; Heady, Christopher; Lawson, Colin; Smith, Stephen

doi:10.1016/s0047-2727(97)00037-6

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…But at a more distant remove, it could be argued that the expectations of citizens did impose some limits on the degree of experimentation. Four decades of socialism had created strong expectations for social stability and for a comprehensive welfare state (Coulter et al, 1997). For that reason, Slovak policymakers, facing a strongly risk-averse electorate, could not have followed a policy of radical change, even had they wanted to.…”

Section: Patientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Political Economy of Slovak and Czech Health Policy: 1989-2000

Lawson¹,

Nemec²

2003

International Political Science Review

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After 1989, the Czech and Slovak health-care systems followed dissimilar policies. Change was faster, more profound and more experimental in the Czech Republic. But after 10 years there are clear similarities in their health status achievements and systemic problems. By showing how a common past and a similar insurance-based finance model interact with commitments to universal access, the common outcomes and problems are explained. It is argued that greater spending, rather than privatization, has improved health-care outcomes since transition began. It is also argued that most of the key problems with the two systems are finance related.

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Section: Patientsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Political Economy of Slovak and Czech Health Policy: 1989-2000

Lawson¹,

Nemec²

2003

International Political Science Review

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“…Four decades of socialism had created strong expectations for social stability and for a comprehensive welfare state (Coulter et al 1997). For that reason Slovak policymakers, facing a strongly risk-averse electorate, could not have followed a policy of radical change, even had they wanted to.…”

Section: The Actorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health Policy in Slovakia and the Outcomes of Health Care Reforms: 1989–2003

Němec

Lawson

2005

Journal of Comparative Policy Analysis: Research and Practice

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Slovak health policy and health outcomes since 1989 are described and analyzed. It is shown that health outcomes have improved during this period, but it is suggested that with a stronger financial base, and improved economic efficiency, more could be achieved. After the 1993 reforms the system moved from direct funding from the budget, to a mixed funding model. The most important funding source is health insurance. There are also some state budget payments and private contributions. But state under-funding of the health insurance of those not in the workforce has created a chronic and worsening financial crisis. In part this is due to the explosion of the drugs bill, as increasing quantities have been imported. It is argued that a long-term solution that will see improved efficiency and health outcomes, requires more consistent health and health care policies, based on an informed and genuinely public debate, an increase in the political priority of health care, and an agreed and fully implemented funding model. There is no sign of real and urgent government movement in this direction.

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“…Much of this research has argued against universalism and in favour of greater means-testing (Standing, 1996). Coulter et al (1997) suggest that the means-testing of family benefits in the Czech Republic, while improving the targeting of benefits, also resulted in limited disincentive effects. They do not, however, examine the impact of a more fully means-tested system in terms of targeting and incentives.…”

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confidence: 99%

Incomes, Incentives and the Growth of Means‐Testing in Hungary

Redmond

1999

Fiscal Studies

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The purpose of this paper is to examine the reform of family benefits and the growth of meanstesting in Hungary. From 1996, many family benefits were means-tested for the first time. A new microsimulation model for Hungary, running on recent survey microdata, is used to simulate the impact of the 1996 reforms on government expenditures, the distribution of incomes, the targeting of benefits and effective marginal tax rates. These reforms are found to be largely benign and even progressive, but they also appear to be paving the way for the further extension of means-testing. The model is used to investigate such an extension by simulating the impact of a UK-style system of means-tested family benefits in Hungary. This system achieves some expenditure savings and better targeting of benefits, but also greatly increases effective marginal tax rates on low-income households with children. The paper argues that resulting poverty traps may increase child poverty in Hungary in the longer term and cautions against the overextension of means-testing.JEL classification: H55, I38, P35.

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Social security reform for economic transition: the case of the Czech Republic

Cited by 9 publications

References 2 publications

The Political Economy of Slovak and Czech Health Policy: 1989-2000

The Political Economy of Slovak and Czech Health Policy: 1989-2000

Health Policy in Slovakia and the Outcomes of Health Care Reforms: 1989–2003

Incomes, Incentives and the Growth of Means‐Testing in Hungary

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