Institutional and Economic Perspectives on Government Capacity to Assume New Roles in the Health Sector: a Review of Experience

This review paper provides the background to research that will take place in four country case-studies to examine these issues. A key focus of this paper concerns government's capacity to fulfil the new roles expected of it. The paper selects four important new reform arrangements: autonomous hospitals; user fees; contracting out; and regulation or enablement of the private sector, since these represent different dimensions of the public/private mix. The rationale for each reform, the extent of change and lessons learned are briefly reviewed. [HEFP WP No. 01/96].