Single-Source Financing Systems
A Solution for the United States?
- Richard B. Saltman, PhD
Abstract
Although tax-based and social insurance—based forms of single-source financing differ in how they raise funds, they share a common set of structural characteristics. In particular, they both enable publicly accountable authorities to control aggregate expenditure levels by creating a countervailing power to pressures for increased expenditures from providers. While major reform initiatives are under way in European single-source financing systems, these initiatives have so far sought to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and/or responsiveness to patterns of service delivery without reducing their commitment to universal access to necessary care. The article concludes with a review of the advantages and disadvantages that could accompany the introduction of a single-source financing system in the United States.
(JAMA. 1992;268:774-779)
Footnotes
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Reprint requests to Division of Health Policy and Management, Emory University School of Public Health, 1599 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329 (Dr Saltman).
