If we do nothing, in 40 years’ time 1 in 3 people will have to work in care to be able to help everyone. Now that is still 1 in 7. In the meantime, health care costs are rising to dangerous levels. Every reason to turn the tide now, according to the National Health Care Institute. Otherwise, not everyone can be helped in the future.
The National Health Care Institute is sounding the alarm as responsible for the composition of the basic package. That is the care that the health insurer must in any case reimburse in the Netherlands. The basic package covers, for example, the costs for a general practitioner, pharmacy or hospital. So the largest part of the care, which is why the Zorginstituut already sees the problem coming. Because the population is aging, there are more and more people who need care and fewer people who can provide and pay for it. That is one of the reasons that the care is pinching in his jacket.
healthier life
But what is the solution – how do we turn the tide? That’s not so easy. The Healthcare Institute has asked to 2000 people† This shows that 70 percent think that healthcare should be overhauled. The organization has to change. A majority also believes that the prevention of diseases should be placed higher on the agenda, by encouraging people to live healthier lives. 40 percent even go so far as to allow unhealthy living citizens to pay more for health care costs by paying a higher premium. Under the hashtag #dezorgvanmorgen, the institute wants to further stimulate this discussion.
Painful Choices
The Zorginstituut itself also considers a ‘healthier life’ an important solution, but that will not be enough. In addition, other solutions must also be found. For example, fewer treatments will take place. It is preferable to opt for treatments that are not so useful or necessary. These kinds of choices are called ‘appropriate care’. When looking at the examples, it becomes clear that difficult choices indeed have to be made. In prostate cancer, for example, 41 percent of men still receive heavy treatment in the last 3 months of life. In retrospect, that treatment was not useful, because the lifespan is not extended and the treatment is very heavy. It is better if these people receive good treatment at home for pain and discomfort in their last phase of life, according to the Zorginstituut. For the available care and for the people themselves. More examples of appropriate care are now being worked out.
Read more
Healthcare cannot be taken for granted, so politicians have to make choices. But what can you do yourself now, to have enough care later? Read more here:
Part 1 about living: https://www.plusonline.nl/langer-zelfstandig-wonen/verzorgd-wonen-blijft-niet-vanzelfspraakd
Part 2 about money: https://www.plusonline.nl/geld-recht/betaalbare-zorg-blijft-niet-vanzelfspraakd
Part 3 about medical care: https://www.plusonline.nl/gezondheid/medische-zorg-blijft-niet-vanzelfspraakd