Suchergebnisse

In large systems, such as health care, reforms are underway constantly. The article presents a definition of health care reform and factors that influence its success. The factors being discussed range from knowledgeable personnel, the role of involvement of international experts and all stakeholders in the country, the importance of electoral mandate and governmental support, leadership and clear and transparent communication. The goals set need to be clear, and it is helpful to have good data and analytical support in the process. Despite all debates and experiences, it is impossible to clearly define the best approach to tackle health care reform due to a different configuration of governance structure, political will and state of the economy in a country.

The paper is an overview of the Guyana health care system, its outcomes, health planning, health reforms, potential health reforms, and the government's contribution, guiding the development of an efficient and equitable health system for the entire population. The current institutional arrangements for health systems and services development in Guyana pose significant challenges requiring significant health planning to achieve significant health reforms. The Health Systems Assessment (HSA) reviewed the Guyana health care system functions on six modules consistent with the WHO's system building blocks - governance, health financing, service delivery, human resources for health (HRH), pharmaceutical management, and health information systems (HIS) – which are in synchrony with the WHO's concept of reform. The HSA review identified areas for health reform through the WHO's system building blocks. The paper reviewed the health plans and reforms in Guyana to establish the influence of neoliberalism in the pathway toward universal health coverage and equity.

Health care is an explosive flashpoint in U.S. politics this year more than ever. By 2013, Americans will either be headed, however slowly and fitfully, toward virtually universal access to decent health care or most of us will be struggling to use dwindling public vouchers to purchase ever more expensive private insurance. These alternate futures reflect what will happen if there is a Republican takeover of the presidency and Congress in January 2013 compared to what is likely if Barack Obama secures re-election in November 2012 or if Democrats have control of at least one chamber of Congress.