Research on the Healthcare System of Latvia

Until the year of 1991 Latvia was under the ruling of the Soviet Union where the medical care, as it was called then, for each of the resident was free of charge, as well as the national healthcare guarantees were provided. After the year of 1991 when Latvia renewed its independence, the healthcare reform was done. At the Soviet time, so-called – medical care system was a part of the Soviet Union and corresponded to its objectives. At the beginning of the 1900’s in Latvia there was a necessity to reorganize the system according the requirements of that time. The main aim of the reform was to focus on the healthcare needs of the residents and to set up the new healthcare system.
In 1994 the first health insurance holding company “Rigas Slimokase” (hereafter called RSK) was established. The company was registered on the 9th June 1994. Its founder and shareholder was Riga’s Council (100% stock capital). RSK served as a commercial company, offering the services of health insurance, accident insurance, travelling insurance, health insurance of foreigners and stateless people, third person insurance and property insurance. …