Households with a low level of education are bigger consumers of healthcare than those with university degrees, but well-educated families spend more on premiums, according to calculations by the macro-economic think-tank CPB.

The CPB report says people whose highest level of education is school or vocational training will spend an average of €2,200 a year on healthcare, but will receive care worth €3,300.
Those with university or college education spend an average of €3,900 on premiums, but only consume €2,200 worth of care.
Solidarity
This, says the CPB, is cause for concern because Dutch healthcare system is based on solidarity and everyone is entitled to the same standard of care regardless of income. However, with rising costs, the rich will be asked to foot an increasing proportion of the bill, the CPB says.
‘Lowering the collective cost of healthcare, for example via a greater role for private care,’ is one possible solution, the report’s authors Albert van der Horst and Harry ter Rele say.
Other options would be to reduce the basic health insurance package or to increase the own-risk element.
Health minister Edith Schippers has not yet responded to the report.