| [ Summary ] |
The reform of medical care systems is not limited to the advanced Western countries, it is also taking place in the former Soviet Union, the Eastern European nations and the Asian NIEs. As far as the advanced economies are concerned, this process is concentrated on strategies for curbing medical expenditure and policies for medical and nursing care of the elderly. In contrast, for the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe it entails a fundamental reform in the medical care system as it is transformed from a health care (state-run) to a medical insurance mode. The Asian NIEs for their part are implementing universal coverage within their national boundaries and upgrading their medical insurance programs. Those confronted with the most difficult problems in this round of reform are the countries of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, in that such reform is not linked to improvement. There again, the steps being taken in the advanced countries are not proving effective in tackling rising medical expenditure and creating health care programs geared to the senior citizen. The Asian NIEs are also in for a lot of problems, including a lack of medical facilities and doctors and a bias towards the big cities. |