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European Health Care Costs
Author(s) -
Gray Alastair M.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
social policy and administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1467-9515
pISSN - 0144-5596
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9515.1984.tb00209.x
Subject(s) - health care , containment (computer programming) , business , public economics , health care cost , economic policy , economic growth , economics , computer science , programming language
The rising cost of health care in Western European countries is now seen by many governments as a problem, and attempts are being made to find a solution by introducing cost‐containment policies. The author begins by reviewing trends in health care expenditures, and examines some of the underlying reasons for the upward trend. He then considers some of the more important differences in the organization and financing of Western European health care systems, before surveying the different kinds of cost‐containment policies which are being, and could be, pursued. The conclusion is that present cost‐containment policies do not take sufficiently into account the underlying reasons for rising costs, and that the criteria for evaluating the success of these policies are inadequate. To be successful, the policies will have to be altered, and the objectives and means of evaluation reconsidered.