What does federalism do to welfare states? This book argues for an approach methodologically focused on configurations of variables within cases rather than a fruitless attempt to isolate the effect of federalism; and one that is engaged with identifying key elements in configurations as well as with when and how their interactions matter.
Learning from Experience
Health targets can help to improve the governance of health systems. They express a commitment to achieve specified outputs over a defined period, and allow progress towards broad goals and objectives to be monitored. They may be quantitative or qualitative, and based on outcomes or processes.This book draws on a series of case studies on the use of health targets, written by experts from Catalonia (Spain), England (United Kingdom), Flanders (Belgium), France, Germany, Hungary and the Russian Federation. It reviews the major technical, managerial and political challenges of defining and implementing health targets. While they help focus attention on agreed goals, to realize their potential they need to be based on evidence, accepted by those who work to achieve them, be embedded in frameworks of mutual accountability, linked to appropriate incentives and/or sanctions and supported by an adequate intelligence infrastructure.The experiences of these countries and regions can serve as examples to all those in government who strive to improve the performance of their health systems.
The Role of Health Technology Assessment in the European Union
This book provides a detailed review of the role of health technology assessment (HTA) in the European Union. It examines both method and process in the prioritization and financing of modern health care and presents extensive case studies from Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, France, Germany and the United Kingdom.The book examines a number of issues, with particular emphasis on the responsibility and membership of HTA bodies’ assessment procedures and methods, the application of HTA evidence to decision-making, and the dissemination and implementation of findings. It aims to highlight ways to improve the HTA process in Europe by examining key challenges and identifying opportunities to support value and innovation in health care.It will be vital reading for a wide range of stakeholders including policy-makers, HTA bodies, manufacturers, health-care professionals and patient organizations.