Fiscal Policy for Health Policy Makers
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World Bank, Washington, DC
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This paper summarizes the basic
principles that should form the basis of fiscal policy.
These principles encompass decisions on the functions of
government, its spending, and the financing of its spending
that affect economic growth, employment, inflation, and
economic welfare. Although the principles are broadly
applicable, it is especially important that health policy
makers understand them. Ensuring access to health care is
one of society's, and therefore the government's,
most important goals. In meeting this goal, policy makers
must be cognizant of fiscal realities; what they can
reasonably expect government to achieve in the health sector
and at what cost. Resources are limited, and many valuable
programs in both the private and public sectors vie for
them. Allocating these resources efficiently is of paramount
importance, with implications for what the government does
and how it finances its activities. The absolute level and
share of government resources allocated to the health sector
will depend on a variety of factors, but the bottom line is
that health programs must compete with other government
programs for scarce resources to ensure that these resources
are put to their best use.
Palabras clave
ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ECONOMIC GROWTH, ECONOMIC WELFARE, EMPLOYMENT, FISCAL POLICY, GOVERNMENT SPENDING, INFLATION