Healthy Skepticism Library item: 5567

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Publication type: Journal Article

Sheldon T.
Dutch consider excluding costly treatments from health insurance
BMJ 2006 Jul 15; 333:(7559):113
http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/short/333/7559/113-a?etoc

Abstract:

A new report commissioned by the Dutch government says that very expensive treatments should no longer be covered by the country’s health insurance system.

It says that the system should not cover treatment that costs more than 80 000 (£55 000; $105 000) for every extra quality adjusted life year (QALY).

Doctors and patients’ groups are concerned that such proposals could exclude treatments such as liver transplantations for people with liver damage resulting from alcohol misuse and argue that care should not be decided just on financial criteria.

The health minister ordered the report from the Council for Public Health and Care amid fears that health spending is increasing faster than economic growth.

The report argues that decisions on what treatments are covered by health insurance should be based on objective criteria about their effectiveness and cost, as well as the seriousness of the illness.

It says that decisions are . . .