The politics of health in Europe /

Freeman's monograph details the politics of health services delivery in Italy, Sweden, the UK, France, and Germany. Although brief, the book takes a broad scope in its coverage of health economics and politics. The first chapter is a concise overview of different kinds of health systems, dealing with participants and institutions, rules and networks, and the increasing role of the state. Chapter 2 offers a whirlwind comparative history of health care in Europe since the late 1800s. The major subsequent substantive chapters distinguish between models of national insurance and social insurance, offer an analysis of recent attempts at reform, and focus specifically on providers (physicians) and consumers (patients) of health care, all from a carefully and deliberately structured comparative perspective. The final chapter deals with an often neglected topic in works of this type--prevention and public health strategies. Freeman offers extensive and easily comprehensible charts comparing the situation in the various countries under study. Only a few tables offering statistical data (on health expenditures, for example) are included. The extensive bibliography should prove useful to students of European health care systems. Recommended at all levels. ; Virginia Commonwealth University