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This article deals with the social democratic aspiration of equitable access to health care in Bulgaria, a country in transition since 1989 from communism and a command economy to democracy and a free market. The focus is on access to health services and resources after the introduction of a universal health insurance system, with particular reference to formal and informal out-of-pocket payments for health care. The paper reports empirical results from a national household expenditure survey, supplemented with a semi-structured interview, conducted at the end of the survey period (April-May 2002). The results bring to light the groups in society who suffer most in this scenario: the poor, Roma, older persons and those living in towns and villages. The study reveals that the stated aim of the National Health Insurance Fund, to provide equitable access to health care, is a mirage rather than a reality, as the vast bulk of health care is self funded. This paper has particular significance for understanding the challenges faced by post-communist states in their attempts to achieve social democratic health care reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper analyses the basic characteristics of and trends in the development of the contemporary Bulgarian sociology. It first presents an overview of the sociological tradition and historical development of sociology as a science in Bulgaria. Then it moves on to present the most important representatives of contemporary sociology in Bulgaria, research institutions and organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]