Health Care Law-Making in Central and Eastern Europe

This book examines the relevance of a theoretical model of health care law-making in several Central and Eastern European countries. Confronted with the legacy of the ancient regime, the countries selected shifted away from a 'socialist' model towards a more 'market-oriented' health care system. From a legal perspective, this change of system imposed on government the need for drastic reforms starting with the introduction of a compulsory health insurance scheme based on the notion of solidarity. Future accession to the EU, requiring the incorporation of the acquis communautaire, has increased the complexity of legal reforms since. Strengthening the reform process, the author developed a method of law-making based on legal-theoretical understanding. Case study research in three selected countries justifies the conclusion that the analytical model rationalises the law-making activity, including the 'EU law approximation process'. What is more, it became apparent that the importance of this theoretical model is not restricted only to the selected countries but may also be a valuable instrument for other countries in transition in the region. Health care law-making in Central and Eastern Europe - Review of a legal-theoretical model provides a unique resource for scholars and policy makers interested in legal reforms in Central and Eastern European health care systems.