The Efficiency Imperative

Although there are immense benefits from rising public health spending, these spending increases present fiscal difficulties for government budgets. Public health spending already accounts for a large share of the public purse and is projected to increase further. Many countries view improving the e...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Finance & Development 2014-12, Vol.51 (4), p.30-30
Main Authors: Coady, David, Francese, Maura, Shang, Baoping
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Benefits
Budget, Government
Clinical practice guidelines
Competition
Costs
Developing countries
Diagnosis related groups
DRGs
Economic development
Efficiency
Emerging markets
Government spending
Health care policy
Health insurance
Health policy
Health services
Information technology
Insurance coverage
International
LDCs
Life expectancy
Low income groups
Medical errors
Medical technology
Payment
Preventive medicine
Public health
Reforms
Regulation
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Summary:Although there are immense benefits from rising public health spending, these spending increases present fiscal difficulties for government budgets. Public health spending already accounts for a large share of the public purse and is projected to increase further. Many countries view improving the efficiency of public health spending as the primary way to ensure continued gains in health outcomes without generating additional fiscal pressures. Researchers have identified several areas where reform could reduce health system inefficiency. These are: 1. Health spending should be reallocated toward the use of the most cost-effective services and treatments and provide incentives for such efficient behavior. 2. Governments should foster competition and choice. 3. Provider payment systems must be improved. 4. Modern health information technology must be adopted. 5. Governments must improve the operations of public institutions. Consequently, improving the efficiency of public health care spending is paramount in all economies. Thus, reforms to enhance public spending efficiency must be tailored to each country. Adapted from the source document.
ISSN:0015-1947
1564-5142