Claudia ScottThis book examines 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. 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.

Published by Open University Press. 0 335 20459 7 at 19 pounds 99p. www.openup.co.uk  <http://www.openup.co.uk