Health Care Systems in Liberal Democracies

Health is a universal human concern and the maintenance of health and provision of services for the sick is probably one of the most challenging tasks facing modern government. Health Care Systems in Liberal Democracies looks at the way in which health care is organised and delivered in six countries: Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States. Each country is discussed within a common framework which looks at the context of health care, both political and cultural, the development of state involvement, the principal features of service delivery and administration, financing arrangements and contemporary issues in health policy. The book is designed to be both a clear and informative introduction for students of social and public policy, and of practical use to policy-makers and to those involved in health care provision.