Global trends in the development of public regulation of healthcare systems

Abstract

The authors note that healthcare systems worldwide have developed under the influence of specific historical, economic, social, and political factors and generally fall into one of three main models: the budgetary model (Beveridge system), social insurance model (Bismarck system), and private model. It’s emphasized that none of these healthcare models are used in a pure form. Attention is drawn to the fact that no developed country can meet all healthcare needs, including services, medications, and other technologies, solely through public funds without incorporating private insurance programs and copayments. The scope of state-guaranteed medical assistance programs varies across countries, and specific guarantees for certain types of care, medications, and medical supplies are often either absent or vaguely outlined in regulatory documents. It’s noted that the evolutionary development of healthcare systems is sometimes disrupted by circumstances that necessitate emergency measures and significant adjustments, which may even contradict the social aims of reforms. For instance, in the recent crisis, many governments' anti-crisis strategies highlighted support for primary healthcare, control over the pharmaceutical market, anti-corruption measures, stricter access to specialized care, and public assistance for the most disadvantaged segments of the population.