The Bulgarian Health Care Reform and Health Act 2004.

Since 1997 post-communist Bulgaria has started structural and financial Health Care reform. The reform's framework is laid down by new health legislation. The main law regulating the broad framework of the health system is the Bulgarian Health Act (BHA) 2004 which came into force in January 2005. The aim of this paper is to introduce and analyze the main features of the Bulgarian Health Care Reform and Health Care Act 2004. Key issues in BHA include: organization and financing of health care; health protection; health promotion, patients' rights, accessibility and quality of health care, mental health, alternative medical services, medical education, medical profession and medical science, and administrative-punitive measures. BHA is a policy document justifying that Bulgaria is prepared and willing to meet the challenge to bring the health status of the Bulgarian population to the current average European health level, as well as that in the EU Member States.