Welfare, Choice and Solidarity in Transition: Reforming the Health Sector in Eastern Europe

ISBN-13: 9780521790369 / Angielski / Twarda / 2001 / 380 str.

Janos Kornai; Karen Eggleston

Opis

Reform of the welfare sector is an important yet difficult challenge for countries in transition from socialist central planning to market-oriented democracies. Here a scholar of the economics of socialism and post-socialist transition, and a health economist take on this challenge. They offer health sector reform recommendations for ten countries of Eastern Europe, drawn from nine guiding principles. The authors conclude that policymakers need to achieve a balance, both assuring social solidarity through universal access to basic health services and expanding individual choice and responsibility through voluntary supplemental insurance.

Recenzje

Review of the hardback: 'The authors' intrinsic knowledge of the political economy of transition countries, their profound understanding of the historic context of the region, and their comprehensive approach to this rather complex topic make the work especially valuable for decision-makers and opinion leaders in Europe. In this context, the book fills a considerable void.' Health Affairs

Spis treści

Part I. Points of Departure: 1. The general principles of reform; 2. The characteristics of the health sector; 3. Some international experiences; 4. The health sector in Eastern Europe: the initial state; Part II. Guidelines for Reform: 5. The demand side: financing, benefits, and organization of insurance; 6. The supply side: delivery system ownership, organization, and contracting; 7. The interaction of supply and demand: pricing, payment, hard budget constraints, and overall health-sector development; 8. Concluding remarks.