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A shrinking state? Politics, economics and private health care in Thailand
Author(s) -
Bennett Sara,
Tangcharoensathien Viroj
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
public administration and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.574
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1099-162X
pISSN - 0271-2075
DOI - 10.1002/pad.4230140101
Subject(s) - private sector , incentive , public sector , health care , politics , economic sector , public economics , economics , health policy , order (exchange) , economic growth , economic policy , business , development economics , market economy , political science , economy , finance , law
This article explores the political and economic forces involved in the development of privatization policies within the health care sector in Thailand. It is suggested that many of the motivating factors behind private sector growth are outside of the health sector; the general macroeconomic environment and tax incentives have stimulated private sector expansion. Within the Ministry of Public Health a preoccupation with improving care in rural areas and an unclear policy line on the private sector has facilitated this expansion. Only recently has private sector growth come to the policy agenda. During this lag period a number of interest groups have developed. It will be difficult to overcome these entrenched interests in order to change policy direction. Meanwhile, problems of rapid cost inflation and inequity face the Thai health care system. Although this case study focuses upon the health care sector in Thailand it would appear relevant both to other sectors and to other countries. The relationship between development models based upon pro‐private, pro‐market tenets and the establishment of a satisfactory social policy is questioned.