ABSTRACT
The social protection systems in Central and Eastern European countries generally have long traditions, with their historical origins in the Bismarckian system of social insurance. The demography of Central and Eastern European countries differs from that of the European Union in several respects, which directly affect the financing of pensions. This chapter presents two of the reforms to be undertaken that are of particular significance in view of the constraints that are faced and the challenges to be met, namely: the pensions system and the health system. In most of the countries under consideration, outpatient medical care is free-of-charge, irrespective of whether State, regional or local health systems are used or health insurance schemes. The involvement of the social partners, and particularly of trade unions, may take on differing dimensions, for example, in the case of pension and health systems.
