Book Summary:
Many OECD countries have been reviewing and modifying their healthcare systems in recent years. Similar reform proposals are being adopted in a number of countries, including the separation of purchasers from providers, managed care, and managed competition. Considerable attention has been placed on defining appropriate roles, relationships and interfaces among public and private organizations in the funding, purchasing and provision of healthcare. Governments are recognizing the growing significance of private sector organizations in achieving public policy strategies and the importance of both the private and public sectors in improving the performance of the healthcare system.
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In Public and Private Roles in Health Care Systems, Claudia Scott examines both the theory and practice surrounding public and private sector roles in healthcare systems. The roles of governments and markets are explored in the areas of funding, purchasing, provision and regulation, drawing on the experiences of seven OECD countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, US and UK. Public and private roles and interfaces are discussed in each country and the health system is evaluated in terms of its capacity to achieve the policy goals of efficiency, cost containment, equity and choice. The book highlights critical public policy choices which governments must make as they contemplate alternative policy strategies for health sector reform. It is recommended reading for students and researchers of health policy and public administration, as well as health professionals and policy makers worldwide. |