ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the reform attempts in health care system, and argues that there are two driving forces behind the proposed reforms. First is the admittedly much needed face-lift of the health services in Greece in terms of quality and cost control. Second is the adaptation of social protection as a whole, and of health care as a part of it, to the new economic realities being created by Greek membership in Economic and Monetary Union. Improving health care services in Greece, or healing the National Health System (NHS) requires radical political surgery and the decision to adapt the national economy to European norms can provide the catalyst and the political rationale for the needed reforms. The political impulse for the creation of the NHS was deeper than just a political reaction to the Doxiades attempt. The political incentives of New Democracy were in line with small incremental reform for the NHS.
