Austerity and the Unraveling of European Universal Health Care.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Austerity and the Unraveling of European Universal Health Care.
Authors:	GAFFNEY, ADAM¹
Source:	Dissent (0012-3846). Spring2013, Vol. 60 Issue 2, p11-15. 5p.
Subject Terms:	Austerity, Public spending, National health insurance, Medical care financing, European Sovereign Debt Crisis, 2009-2018, Eurozone economic policy, Budget cuts, Social policy
Abstract:	The article looks at the effect of austerity policies in many European countries on their health care systems, as of 2013. The author notes that free universal health care represents a major social achievement in Europe and outlines the different paths that various countries took toward it, beginning in the 19th century and culminating in the post-World War II period. He then discusses the European sovereign debt crisis which ensued following the 2008 global financial crisis and severe economic slowdown. He notes that the financial bailouts some countries required were conditioned on sharp cuts in government spending, including on health care. He outlines the cuts made in Spain and Greece and describes the resulting deterioration in their health care systems.
Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	The article looks at the effect of austerity policies in many European countries on their health care systems, as of 2013. The author notes that free universal health care represents a major social achievement in Europe and outlines the different paths that various countries took toward it, beginning in the 19th century and culminating in the post-World War II period. He then discusses the European sovereign debt crisis which ensued following the 2008 global financial crisis and severe economic slowdown. He notes that the financial bailouts some countries required were conditioned on sharp cuts in government spending, including on health care. He outlines the cuts made in Spain and Greece and describes the resulting deterioration in their health care systems.
ISSN:	00123846
DOI:	10.1353/dss.2013.0038