Will managed care work in Europe?

This paper examines major trends in healthcare reforms in the European Union Member States during the last decade. It focuses on managed care developments and shows that, to a certain extent, managed care in Europe is moving towards a consensus. The paper analyses major trends observed across the European Union including the establishment of overall budgets for health services, separation of purchasers from providers, competition between providers, capitation payments for doctors, budget controls on pharmaceutical expenditure and priority-setting methodologies.

Employer's willingness to pay: the case for compulsory health insurance in Tanzania.

This article documents employers' expenditure on the arrangements for the health care of their employees in one of the least developed countries; Tanzania. The case for compulsory health insurance is considered in the light of the fact that only 3% of the population is employed in the formal sector and could be covered at first. It is shown from a survey of larger employers, outside government, that they were spending on average 11% of payroll on health care for their employees.

Cost containment and health care reform: a study of the European Union.

This article gives a short summary of the organisation and financing of health services of the 12 Member States of the European Union. It then describes the latest developments in cost containment in each of the countries. The third section describes the new initiatives for reform in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

Health insurance in developing countries: lessons from experience.

Many developing countries are currently considering the possibility of introducing compulsory health insurance schemes. One reason is to attract more resources to the health sector. If those who, together with their employers, can pay for their health services and are made to do so by insurance, the limited tax funds can be concentrated on providing services for fewer people and thus improve coverage and raise standards.