The Public/Private Healthcare Mix in France

Abstract

AbstractFrance has the reputation of having one of the best healthcare system in the world. Indeed, its responsiveness is rated high; patients have a large choice of public and private providers without chronic waiting time problems, and the health status of the French population ranks among the best in the world. However, promoting a universal health system built on a mix of public and private funding and provision raises numerous challenges for ensuring the equity and efficiency of the system. This chapter presents the unique public/private mix of funding and care delivery in France and discusses how the system has been continuously tailored to face pressures to curb health expenditure growth and ensure equity of access and quality of care while maintaining plurality and choice.