The
Constitution of Croatia, adopted in December 1990, declared that health care is a human right. In 1993, the HZZO was created by the
Croatian Parliament in order to consolidate the fragmented and decentralized health care system which had been inherited from the
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The 1993 law recognized patient choice as a principle through a mandatory
payroll tax of 15% The Health Care Law of 1993 also guaranteed patients rights which includes access to information about their health, and the ability to refuse examination and treatment. In July 2001, the Ministry of Health under
Ana Stavljenić-Rukavina issued a policy statement entitled "The Strategy and Plan for the Reform of the Health Care System and Health Insurance of the Republic of Croatia." Noting that such factors as the
country's aging and the generous benefits established since 1993 threatened the fund's sustainability, the paper proposed reducing the amount of basic services that are free at the point of use, which would result in the HZZO becoming less dependent on payroll contributions. In order to increase revenue, the 2002 Health Insurance Law introduced higher
copayments for hospital and specialist services. These services include
diagnostic tests and
prescription drugs. It also created a voluntary insurance policy that would complement the mandatory coverage each citizen received. After 2002, citizens were no longer allowed to opt out of the public insurance system. == References ==