Is Rationing an Option for Approaching Healthcare Services Provision? the Case of the Greek Cardiac Patients‪.‬

Abstract This paper attempts to address some of the issues surrounding rationing of healthcare services, with application to Greece's delivery of cardiac services. To this end, first, we provide highlights of the current debate concerning rationing worldwide and critically discuss them. Following that, an empirical analysis of the way 'key' stakeholders perceive rationing issues in Greece, is performed. Findings indicate that rationing is a highly disputed approach, subject to individualistic interpretations and moral issues. At policy level, it becomes evident that rationing is a mixture rather than a single policy concern, depending on a complicated range of locally-based reconciliation made at various levels of interested parties. Hence, no universal formula exists to fit all countries' healthcare systems and further case-by-case research, is required. Keywords Rationing decision * Priority setting * Healthcare * Health policy making * Greek cardiac stakeholders