Social policies regarding financial resources within the healthcare system in romania

Abstract

Romania has already a historical tradition regarding the allocation of the smallest share for the healthcare system from among all EU member-states. The public expenditures with health, of 4.36% from GDP (in 2012) and total health expenditures both public and private (of 5.56% in 2012) place Romania on the last position within the European Union, rather far from the EU average. Also in PPC (purchasing power per capita) terms we are placed at the lowest level and beyond our neighbours. During the past 20 years, the experts in health policies drew attention on the need to increase health expenditures at the European average level of 7%, by demonstrating the negative impact of maintaining expenditures at the current level. The investments in population's health were theoretically acknowledged as necessary, however these were permanently postponed because they did not deliver short-term outcomes with electoral impact and because the structural reform would mean social capital costs. It is necessary to assume political responsibility for long-term planned investments and for prioritizing the needs of the system.