Restructuring the German Welfare State. Health Care Policy and Reform in Germany

Health Care Policy and Reform in Germany

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Sociology
Cover of the book Restructuring the German Welfare State. Health Care Policy and Reform in Germany by Christiane Landsiedel, GRIN Publishing
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Christiane Landsiedel ISBN: 9783638362498
Publisher: GRIN Publishing Publication: April 4, 2005
Imprint: GRIN Publishing Language: English
Author: Christiane Landsiedel
ISBN: 9783638362498
Publisher: GRIN Publishing
Publication: April 4, 2005
Imprint: GRIN Publishing
Language: English

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Sociology - Political Sociology, Majorities, Minorities, grade: A, University of Dalarna (Political Sociology), course: Restructuring the Welfare State, 11 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: As health care is among the most personal issues, this is one reason why it is also among the most politically discussed as cost containment has become a priority of health care policy. Health care has consumed a large and growing portion of social spending in all advanced industrialised societies, particularly in the last decade. This cost explosion coincided with the global economic slowdown and worries about the fiscal viability of the welfare state. Reasons for escalating health care costs are, although to varying degrees, common to Western countries. The health care sector provides fertile ground for technological innovations that may prolong life but at considerable expense. Moreover, once these discoveries are made, it is extremely difficult for insurers or governments to limit their provision, as patients demand access to these treatments. Furthermore, the aging population of Western countries has direct consequences for health care because older persons are more likely to be in need of cost intensive treatment and/or care due to acute illness or chronic conditions. At the same time, birth rates are no longer balanced with increasing longevity, so that there will be fewer working age persons in the future to bear the financial requirements for elderly care. Governments and employers claimed that health care costs posed immediate and longterm problems and began to search for ways to address them. The 'new politics of the welfare state' - Pierson's (1996) famous concept, which deals with welfare state reform in the face of changing demographic and tougher economic conditions - has also modified the position of diverse welfare state stakeholders. The actions and preferences of payers and the state are determined by the prevailing health care system as well as by the political system and whether it provides them an opportunity to influence health policies.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Seminar paper from the year 2005 in the subject Sociology - Political Sociology, Majorities, Minorities, grade: A, University of Dalarna (Political Sociology), course: Restructuring the Welfare State, 11 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: As health care is among the most personal issues, this is one reason why it is also among the most politically discussed as cost containment has become a priority of health care policy. Health care has consumed a large and growing portion of social spending in all advanced industrialised societies, particularly in the last decade. This cost explosion coincided with the global economic slowdown and worries about the fiscal viability of the welfare state. Reasons for escalating health care costs are, although to varying degrees, common to Western countries. The health care sector provides fertile ground for technological innovations that may prolong life but at considerable expense. Moreover, once these discoveries are made, it is extremely difficult for insurers or governments to limit their provision, as patients demand access to these treatments. Furthermore, the aging population of Western countries has direct consequences for health care because older persons are more likely to be in need of cost intensive treatment and/or care due to acute illness or chronic conditions. At the same time, birth rates are no longer balanced with increasing longevity, so that there will be fewer working age persons in the future to bear the financial requirements for elderly care. Governments and employers claimed that health care costs posed immediate and longterm problems and began to search for ways to address them. The 'new politics of the welfare state' - Pierson's (1996) famous concept, which deals with welfare state reform in the face of changing demographic and tougher economic conditions - has also modified the position of diverse welfare state stakeholders. The actions and preferences of payers and the state are determined by the prevailing health care system as well as by the political system and whether it provides them an opportunity to influence health policies.

More books from GRIN Publishing

Cover of the book The Portrayal of William Rufus in the 'Vita Anselmi' and Huntingdon's 'Historia Anglorum' by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book The Political and Legal Environment for Cigarette Marketing by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book The Gothic Elements and Atmosphere in Charles Dickens' 'Great Expectations'. An Analysis by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book The depiction of war in the novels 'Slaughterhouse-Five' and 'A Farewell to Arms' by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Education with a Smile on its Face - An Analysis of Comic Elements in Luis Valdez 'Los Vendidos' by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Deductive, Systematic Signal Validation as Method for Efficacy Improvement in Pharmaco- and Chemo-Vigilance by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Examination of the cultural effects of globalisation by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Civic and ethnic nationalism in East and West by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book The German Influence on Australian and American English by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Hedging with Interest Rate Swaps and Currency Swaps by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book The Myth of Alfred Hitchcock by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Australien - Flora, Fauna und die Nationalparks by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book How did media coverage affect the American involvement in and attitudes towards the Vietnam War? by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Consumer Buying Behaviour by Christiane Landsiedel
Cover of the book Multinational corporation and third world development by Christiane Landsiedel
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy