Birth control pills for women over the age of 21, dental care for youngsters aged 18 to 21 and walking aids for the elderly will no longer be covered by basic healthcare insurance from next year, acting health minister Ab Klink announced on Monday.

The measures are necessary to slash healthcare spending, which is running €1.4bn over budget, the minister said. The Netherlands currently spends some €61bn a year on healthcare.
Physiotherapy costs will also go up and anti-depressants will only be covered on a case by case basis, the minister said. People who end up in long term care will have to pay at least €400 a month for bed and board.
By announcing the changes now, Klink is giving health insurance companies time to adjust their policies for next year.
Everyone in the Netherlands has to take out a compulsory basic healthcare package and the government decides what it includes. Companies are then free to offer top up policies to cover extra items, such as dental care.