Netherlands

We've always enjoyed looking at European models, and would highly recommend checking out the Alliance for Health Reform's recent briefing on approaches to health reform in Germany and the Netherlands, (a webcast of which is available here). These European States are particularly relevant to the U.S. because they are examples of reform that achieved comprehensive coverage within a private market framework.

The briefing's panel of international and domestic experts offered a sort of Fodor's guide to the health care systems of Germany and the Netherlands with a Berlitz translation of the most meaningful implications for health reform in the U.S. (with background materials available here.)

Our take-home conclusions from Friday's trip to the Continent:

Myth: An individual mandate is not enforceable.

Fact: Switzerland and the Netherlands have successfully enforced an individual mandate to purchase health insurance. Similarly, some American states have achieved close to 100 percent compliance with a mandate to purchase car insurance.

Enforcing a requirement to purchase health insurance will likely a take series of integrated approaches. Some possible models include: