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Higher Deductible Hits 160,000 Low-Income Individuals Harder, Increasing Risk of Care Avoidance and Debt

NRC·21 September · 05:00·3 days ago

A report by the Institute for Public Economics reveals that approximately 160,000 low-income individuals miss out on the municipal policy, a supplementary health insurance scheme intended to prevent care avoidance and debt. One-quarter of Dutch municipalities offer no or limited access to this coverage, with 34 providing none and 53 contributing insufficiently to keep premiums affordable. This gap is particularly concerning given the Jetten cabinet's plan to raise the deductible by 60 euros in 2028, which researchers warn may drive vulnerable groups away from necessary medical care. Since 2017, the number of municipalities offering no coverage has increased tenfold due to insurers withdrawing over financial losses and local governments cutting costs.

Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's

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