NHS Privatization

The Guardian reports that the UK considering privatizing sections of the National Health Service (NHS): A Treasury-commissioned report yesterday recommended measures to chop £6bn from public services budgets over the next two years, with further measures intended to save £15bn a year by 2013. It calls for a shake-up of “back office” administrative and support…

The birth of the N.H.S.

Why did the British decide to have the government pay for health care?  Are they socialists by nature?  Were they just ahead of their time?  Did some lobbyist win the favor of government? Actually, it was done out of practicality.  World War II shifted the provision of health care from the private to the public…

Optimal Contracts in the British NHS

One of the perennial questions of interest for health services researchers how to pay for health care.  A paper by Chalkley and McVicar (2008) examines this question in the contest of a reform in Britain’s National Health Service (NHS). “After 1990 hospitals, which had previously been under the direct control of Health Authorities, could apply for NHS…

NHS Constitution

The Telegraph reports that Britain’s National Health Service (NHS) has enacted a constitution.  “[The constitution] will set out the rights and responsibilities for patients and what they can expect from the NHS in the 21st century.  It is being seen by ministers as a chance to reiterate the founding principles of the health service, emphasising…

Value-based pricing

In February of 2007, the UK’s Office of Fair Trading (OFT) recommended reform to Britain’s current Pharmaceutical Price Regulation Scheme (PPRS). The PPRS sets maximum and minimum profit levels from the sale of branded drugs to the NHS. The PPRS allows companies freedom to set prices as they please on new substances, but restricts subsequent…