The Use of Governance Instruments in Health Policies of Developed Countries
The health care system is sometimes characterised on the basis of how it fulfils three basic functions: financing, provision of services and regulations. These three dimensions allow you to capture the fundamental role of the state and the direction of its policies in individual models. Studies show, however, that over the last 40 years the models have become similar to one another. As a result, today it is hard to speak of pure – model – solutions because these are in fact hybrids based in varying degrees on individual basic versions2. According to OECD, health systems in the world are subjected to similar pressure but the response to this pressure is varied because in each country public policy makers and stakeholders conduct various debates concerning the organisation and financing. Sometimes they adopt the perspective of deliberation on the amount of expenditure for this purpose (as in the US), the government’s role in co-financing of costs (as in Sweden or Canada), or the issue of restrictions in health care (Germany, the Netherlands). It is, however, only a certain cutting of very complex reality. Solving real problems must be preceded by an analysis of institutional issues in the context of the historical trajectory of development.