Dutch coalition government debates health costs

The degree to which the rich and healthy subsidise health costs of the poor and sick has become the big issue in current negotiations to launch a Dutch coalition government of left and right. The Labour party wants 80% of health costs related to income. But the right wing Liberal party seeks an entirely private health insurance system with the cost of premiums related to risk in a competitive market rather than the ability to pay.

Currently, 60% of the population is insured through sickness funds, …