Comparison of Health Care Systems in European Countries of OECD (Porownanie funkcjonowania systemow opieki zdrowotnej w europejskich krajach OECD)
The article presents a comparative analysis of health care systems in European countries of the OECD. Based on the literature, the general characteristics of Beveridge and Bismarck systems are presented. Moreover, analyzes and assessments of health systems due to financial factors, as well as technological and demographic considerations were made. The article presents a comparative analysis of health care systems in European countries of the OECD. Based on the literature, the general characteristics of Beveridge and Bismarck systems are presented. Moreover, analyzes and assessments of health systems due to financial factors, as well as technological and demographic considerations were made. The analysis is qualitative in nature. All countries were divided into three groups. The characteristics of the transition countries in the 90s were referred to the group of countries with the system Beveridge or Bismarck. The analysis includes basic, the most commonly used parameters characterizing the expenses, resources, and results of health systems. The analysis confirmed that the Bismarck system is more costly. Despite the fact that the transition countries adopted a system of Bismarck, they are still a separate group, clearly different from the other countries. These countries are in the middle of the road to build the efficient health care systems that could be comparable with systems in countries with stable and well established economic situation. Keywords: health care, Bismarck and Beveridge models, health expenditure and outcomes, comparison analysis.