Published Paper Details:

There is a growing need to evaluate potential planning approaches from an economic vantage point due to increasing demands on healthcare funding. Concerned individuals, groups, non-governmental organizations, volunteer agencies, and people's organizations--representing the entire community but notably the poor, whose rights and privileges have been seized by an exploitative class that controls the political and economic power--must take the lead in the struggle. The need to rationalize health care finance has given rise to a number of new models, including local health cooperatives, partial health insurance coverage, limited partnerships, joint ventures, health cess, public-private cost sharing, and taxable and tax-exempt bond financing. Immediate action is required to address financial concerns and explore significant alternatives. Medical treatment and its financing are about to undergo a sea shift as a result of current trends in the health care industry. Sufficient medical services in a budget-conscious market have been gaining prominence, rather than high quality at any cost. Government and corporate participation in health care decision-making may moderate high-tech and high-finance options.