ABSTRACT
In this paper, we will describe an innovation in home care in the Netherlands. It consists of giving a budget to persons who are assessed as needing home care instead of offering them services. This innovation was first tried out on an experimental basis in a few areas. Because it proved to be successful, this scheme is now available on a small scale all over the country; but it is still an experiment. The present situation can be considered as the second phase of the experiment. Since April 1996, when this paper was presented, considerable new developments have taken place. After the first phase had been evaluated, the government decided to set certain new rules for the second phase.
