[Austerity and healthcare privatization in times of crisis: are there any differences among autonomous communities?]

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the differences between autonomous communities in Spain according to their policies of austerity and healthcare privatization during the economic crisis.

Methods: Changes in the application of legal reforms, healthcare privatization and healthcare financing/resources in the autonomous communities were analysed, and a summary indicator of each dimension was constructed.

Results: The Basque Country showed the clearest behaviour towards a weak policy of austerity and privatization, as opposed to La Rioja, Madrid, and the Balearic Islands.

Conclusions: The three classifications will enable analysis of the mediating effect of policies of austerity and privatization in the relationship between the economic crisis and health in the Spanish context.

Keywords: Austeridad; Austerity; Crisis económica; Economic crisis; España; Healthcare policy; Healthcare privatization; Política sanitaria; Privatización sanitaria; Spain.