The Impact of Israel's 1995 National Health Insurance Law and Health Reforms on Nursing: A Historical Overview

Abstract

This article examines the trends and trajectories of the nursing profession and healthcare practices in Israel from a historical perspective, following the enactment of the 1995 National Insurance Health (NHI) Law, which entitled every Israeli resident to healthcare services. Since then, Israel's health funds have become more competitive and services to patients have improved. Nurses in Israel have taken on new roles in the healthcare system, including working with professional colleagues to develop efficient teamwork that serves patients’ needs. Nursing in Israel has also become increasingly academized, with all nursing training taking place in universities or academic colleges as of 2024. These changes mirror global trends in nursing and demand new thinking about the role of nurses, including how nursing can best serve patients and the wider healthcare system.