Financing Universal Access to Healthcare: A Comparative Review of Landmark Legislative Health Reforms in the OECD

The recent expansion of health insurance coverage in the USA under the Affordable Health Care Act, and current threats to reverse the benefits of this reform, have once again focused the world's attention on the difficult challenges faced by other countries trying to provide better access to healthcare to their population at an affordable cost. This textbook provides a comparative review of financing universal access to healthcare in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.

The first two chapters of the book provide a framework for financing universal access to healthcare. The remaining eight chapters present case studies of eight OECD countries that have successfully introduced reforms to finance universal access to healthcare for their population through landmark legislative reforms. A concluding chapter focuses on the lessons learned from the OECD and recommendations from policymakers and others who are planning similar reforms. The book is designed as a learning tool for students and as a user guide for policymakers.

Readership: Graduate and research-level students and instructors of healthcare financing, healthcare policymakers, and healthcare professionals and investors.

Alexander S Preker is a globally recognized expert on health systems development and health policy reform. He has been an advisor to the Ministers of Health and senior policy makers in countries throughout the world on capital investment in the health sector, health financing, health insurance, public-private partnerships and the political process of healthcare reform.

Currently, Professor Preker is an Executive Scholar and Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University, New York University and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in New York. He is a Commissioner with the Global Commission on Pollution, Health and Development, an Honorary Associate member of the International Hospital Federation and Member of the Board for the USA Health Alliance. He is an active supporter of new developments in life sciences and medical technology as President and CEO of the Health Investment & Financing Corporation, as a Founding Member of the New York Chapter of the Keiretsu Forum and Keiretsu Capital and through other investment activities.

Previous to his current work, Professor Preker had a long career with the World Bank Group. He was Chief Economist for the health sector and Head of the Health Industry Group and Investment Policy for the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Professor Preker has published extensively, having written many scientific articles and editorials, and having authored over 15 books. He was a member of the Editorial Board of the World Bank's Publication Department and Editor in Chief of its Health, Nutrition and Population publications. Currently, he chairs the External Advisory Committee for the World Hospitals and Health Services Journal of the International Hospital Federation, and is the Editor in Chief of the Health Investment and Financing Series of World Scientific.

Professor Preker's training includes a PhD in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Fellowship in Medicine from University College London, a Diploma in Medical Law and Ethics from King's College London, and a MD from University of British Columbia/McGill.