Can the Healthcare Services Market be a Competitive Market?

ABSTRACT

In this paper, is commented the view that health services can operate on a competitive model. Initially a reference is made to the famous article by Kenneth Arrow, which first raised the question of the special characteristics of health services provision. Some points that have raised disagreements on whether competition in the market for health services can result in efficient solutions and optimization of social welfare are then presented. Par ticular reference is made in the U.S. health system, which although is the most competitive in the western world does not seem to have achieved the targets, and this resulted in criticisms and call to avoid emulating this bad example.

Keywords: competition, health care services market

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