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Priority setting in Austria.
A Stepan1, M Sommersguter-Reichmann
1Technische Universität Wien, Abteilung für Industrielle BWL and Donauuniversität Krems, Abteilung für Wirtschafts- und Managementwissenschaften, Theresianumgasse 27/330, A-1040, Wien, Austria. stepan@ebwnov.tuwien.ac.at
Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|May 29, 2000
Summary
Austria
Area of Science:
- Health economics
- Healthcare policy
Background:
- Priority setting and rationing are not openly debated in Austria.
- Healthcare financing, particularly hospital and physician reimbursement, requires reform to prevent resource waste.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the current state of priority setting and rationing in Austrian healthcare.
- To highlight the disconnect between existing rationing practices and public awareness.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the Austrian healthcare system's incentive structures.
- Review of existing organizational rationing tools.
- Examination of Eurobarometer survey data on public satisfaction with healthcare.
Main Results:
- Rationing methods are implemented in Austria but are not subjects of public discussion.
- Reforms in healthcare financing are needed before public debate on rationing can occur.
- Austrians are largely unaware that rationing techniques are already in use.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare financing reform is a prerequisite for a public discussion on rationing in Austria.
- Current rationing practices operate without public awareness or debate.
- Addressing resource waste necessitates both system reform and public engagement.
Keywords:
Health Care and Public Health