Healthcare privatization rises across most Spanish regions

The 12th report from the Federation of Associations for the Defense of Public Health (FADSP) indicates that healthcare privatization is increasing across most Spanish autonomous communities. Madrid remains the region with the highest degree of privatization for the twelfth consecutive year, followed by the Balearic Islands and Catalonia.

While privatization has grown in nine communities over the last year, Andalucía has seen a slight reduction in its privatization rate to 20.5% due to changes in budget allocations. However, other regions such as Asturias, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha have seen privatization rates nearly double since 2014.

The FADSP index utilizes ten indicators, including private insurance usage, household out-of-pocket spending, administrative concessions, and the proportion of health budgets allocated to private contracts. Experts warn that while some regions show lower indices, others may be utilizing different methods of privatization not captured by these specific indicators.