Croatia looks at healthcare overhaul as EU membership approaches:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
The Croatian government has drafted proposals aimed at shaking-up the Croatian healthcare service as the country prepares for EU membership. They include plans to cut spending and to make the population pay up to 15% of their medical expenses. The government wants to reduce the number of people eligible for full cover of their health costs from the present 2.5 million to 1 million, and to increase employer responsibility for healthcare, introducing the concept of annual health checks for employees. The proposals also cover hospital standards, including waiting times for diagnostic testing. Patients who experience long waits could be entitled to have their tests carried out in private clinics paid for by the state.