Unexpected impact of changes in out-of-pocket payments for health care on Czech household budgets

The Czech Republic is one of the countries that has a relatively low level of private spending on health. As a part of the health care reform package in 2008, some additional out-of-pocket payments were introduced, called ‘user (patient) fees’. Furthermore, the government intends to increase some user fees in the following years. There have been serious discussions between proponents and opponents because an increase in out of pocket payments for health care may create financial obstacles for some households and restrict the desirable consumption of health care.