Cost containment, solidarity and cautious experimentation: Swedish dilemmas

摘要: This paper uses secondary data analysis and a literature review to explore “Swedish Dilemma”: Can Sweden continue provide high level of comprehensive health services for all regardless ability pay — policy emphasizing “solidarity” or must it decide impose increasing constraints on spending service delivery “cost containment?” It examines recent policies longer term trends including: changes in personnel facilities; integration social older persons; introduction competition among providers; cost sharing patients; dismantling dental insurance; decentralization government responsibility; priority settings treatment; encouragement the private sector. is apparent that Swedes have had considerable success attaining containment not primarily through “market mechanisms” but budget controls reduction. Further, appears equal access care, solidarity, may be adversely affected by some system changes.