Description
Book SynopsisReform 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 a health economist offer health sector reform recommendations for ten countries of Eastern Europe, drawn from nine guiding principles.
Trade ReviewReview of the hardback: 'To judge from its title, Janos Kornai and Karen Eggleston have written a book about health care reform in Eastern Europe. In fact, they have done much more. Following their own axiom of transparency, they begin by setting out goals of health care and other social support systems in a fresh way, and go on to apply the goals to the practical tasks of health care financing and organization. In so doing, they make a large contribution to a small literature, a comparative analytical treatment of many countries' health care systems together with advice for the would-be reformer.' Joseph P. Newhouse, Harvard University
Review of the hardback: 'A book bringing together a lifelong student of socialism and a highly-trained health economist was likely to produce either a major disconnect or to provide intellectual fireworks through novel ways of dissecting the issues and provocative insights into old problems. Lovers of fireworks should read on.' Nicholas Barr, London School of Economics and Political Science
Review of the hardback: '[It] gives the reader a number of provocative insights into the health care challenges of the coming decade in Eastern Europe.' Health Affairs
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
Table of ContentsPart 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.
