This is a new health economics textbook with a difference. It is based firmly in the discipline of economics and, as such, it fills a gap in the health economics market. But, unlike other texts in the area, it is very explicit about the distributive implications of economic models and it provides clear rathionale for public involvement in the market for health care. It separatesthe efficiency reasons for public involvement(based on notions of 'market failure') from the equity reasons(based on the views of society that health care should be distributed according to the notion of health needs...