[The organisation and financing of curative care]

In the Netherlands, market incentives are increasingly used in the organisation of curative healthcare. This use of a free-market system is not an end in itself but rather a way of achieving better care at appropriate prices. Considering the special characteristics of healthcare, this is, however, not self-evident. As a result, the government is still significantly involved. This is also very clear in the financing of healthcare. In the case of curative care, the choice has been made for basic healthcare insurance compulsory for everyone. Medically necessary care pertaining to this coverage, including some oral care, is nearly fully financed collectively in the form of compulsory premiums. Every increase in the cost of care results, consequently, in difficult (political) dilemmas. Within the 'regulated' free-market system of the basic healthcare insurance package as well as the supplementary packages particularly important to oral care, it is essential that healthcare providers and insurers find common ground as contracting parties to a greater and greater degree.