Financial Sustainability in Bulgaria`s Healthcare: Challenges and Strategic Imperatives
Financial Sustainability in Bulgaria`s Healthcare: Challenges and Strategic Imperatives

Author(s): Christo Ivanov
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Udruženje ekonomista i menadžera Balkana
Keywords: Financial sustainability; Healthcare; Strategic imperatives
Summary/Abstract: The healthcare expenditures in Bulgaria have been constantly growing since the beginning of healthcare reform which was set at the end of 20th century. However, this did not lead to more effective and more affordable treatment for patients or to financial sustainability of the industry. A quarter of a century later, the healthcare system continues to be characterized by constant underfunding. The primary objective of this study is to examine the key challenges affecting healthcare financing in Bulgaria. For the purposes of the study, data from the Ministry of Finance of Bulgaria, Eurostat, as well as a number of studies on the topic were analyzed. The main conclusion is that a systematic state policy is needed to increase social security payments by increasing citizens` incomes, increasing fairness in the distribution of public funds, increasing the efficiency with which public funds are spent, as well as developing measures addressing the main factors for the emergence and development of the shadow economy in the country.

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