HEALTH-CARE REFORM IN THE NETHERLANDS, SWEDEN, AND THE UNITED-KINGDOM

The experiences of three European countries that are actively engaged in reforming their health care systems-the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom-point to a degree of convergence in the types of reforms being pursued. European experiences also offer a number of lessons for the United States. These include the importance of government intervention in the health care market to ensure universal coverage, the key role of primary care in ensuring access to basic health services and in containing costs, and the need to create a strong purchasing or insurance function to hold providers accountable on behalf of patients. The pace and scope of reform are affected significantly by the political process in each country.