The Financial Sustainability of the Portuguese Health System

Rita Santos, Pedro Pita Barros, Eduardo Costa

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The provision of universal health care by the Portuguese NHS depends on the allocated government budget to health. Several reforms have been implemented over the last decades to improve access while ensuring the financial sustainability of the health care system. However, a practical and useable definition of public health sustainability is hard to find. We show that under two alternative definitions – both related to fiscal space and compliance with sound public finances – public health spending increase is limited. Our analysis indicates that public health spending growth levels below 3% can be financially sustainable.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Sustainability of Health Care Systems in Europe
PublisherEmerald
Pages209-229
Number of pages21
Volume295
ISBN (Electronic)9781839094989
ISBN (Print)9781839094996
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Mar 2021

Publication series

NameContribution to Economic Analysis
PublisherEmerald
Volume295
ISSN (Electronic)0573-8555

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