?This academic but passionate and controversial work should be read by specialists on Mexico and Latin America, as well as by those interested in healthcare and social policy in general.??Carmelo Mesa-Lago, University of PittsburghHas Mexico, twenty years after beginning the process of decentralizing its health system, realized the anticipated benefits of increased community participation and improvements in efficiency and quality? Addressing this question, Decentralizing Health Services in Mexico presents a thorough historical and theoretical grounding, as well as representative case studies of decentralization at the state and local levels.The authors combine qualitative and quantitative data in their examination of the transfer of authority over fiscal, human, and physical resources in the health sector. The result is a major contribution to the ongoing debate over the advantages and disadvantages of decentralization in varying political, cultural, and economic contexts.Nuria Homedes is associate professor at the University of Texas School of Public Health-Houston. Antonio Ugalde is emeritus professor at the Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin. CONTENTS: Decentralization: Theory and History. Decentralization: The Long Road from Theory to Practice?the Editors. Decentralization of Health Services in Mexico: A Historical Review?the Editors. The First Attempt, 1983-1988. Decentralizing Health Services: Formulation, Implementaion, and Results?M. Gonzalez-Block, R. Leyva, O. Zapta, R. Loewe, and J. Alagon. Federalist Flirtations: The Politics and Execution of Health Services Decentralization for the Uninsured in Mexico, 1985-1995?A.-E. Birn. Trying Again, 1994-2004: Case Studies from Five States. ?Decentralized? in Quotes: Baja California Sur, 1996-2000?L. Olvera Santana. The Slow and Difficult Institutionalization of Health Care Reform in Sonora: 1982-2000?R. Abrantes Pego. Guanajuato: Invisible Results?S. Arjonilla Alday. Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas: Opening and Closing a Window of Opportunity?the Editors. Decentralization at the Health District Level in Nuevo Leon?the Editors. Conclusions?the Editors.

Looking at Canada, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa and Switzerland, Federalism and Decentralization in Health Care examines the overall organization of the health system.

Decentralizing Health Services A Global Perspective Krishna Regmi, editor Current economic, demographic, and environmental shifts are presenting major challenges to health care systems around the world. In response, decentralization--the transfer of control from central to local authorities--is emerging as a successful means of meeting these challenges and reducing inequities of care. But as with health care itself, one size does not fit all, and care systems must be responsive to global reality as well as local demand. Decentralizing Health Services explores a variety of applications of decentralization to health care delivery in both the developing and developed worlds. Outfitted with principles, blueprints, and examples, this ambitious text clearly sets out the potential role of decentralized care as a major player in public health. Its models of service delivery illustrate care that is effective, inclusive, flexible, and in tune with the current era of preventive and evidence-based healthcare . Contributors point out opportunities, caveats, and controversies as they: Clarify the relationships among decentralization, politics, and policy Differentiate between political, fiscal, and administrative decentralization in health care systems Consider public/private partnerships in health systems Explain how the effects of decentralization can be evaluated. Present the newest data on the health outcomes of decentralization Explore some challenges and global issues of health systems in the 21st century And each chapter features learning goals, discussion questions, activities, and recommendations for further reading Heralding changes poised to revolutionize care, Decentralizing Health Services will broaden the horizons of researchers and administrators in health services, health economics, and health policy

Exploring the capacity and impact of decentralization within European health care systems, this book examines both the theoretical underpinnings as well as practical experience with decentralization.

This is the first book to fully review the Mexican health system, its organization and governance, health financing, health care provision, health reforms, and health system performance. The book is based on the most recent data and focuses on the three main components that constitute Mexico’s health system: 1) employment-based social insurance programs, 2) public assistance services for the uninsured, and 3) a private sector composed of service providers, insurers, and pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and distributors.

This book assesses the impact of decentralization on Mexico’s intergovernmental relations and examines the constraints upon the devolution of political power from the center to the lower levels of government. It also discusses the distribution of power and authority to governments of opposition parties within the context of a more open political space. Victoria Rodríguez uncovers a new paradox in the Mexican political system: retaining power by giving it away. She argues that since the de la Madrid presidency (1982–1988), the Mexican government has embarked upon a major effort of political and administrative decentralization as a means to increase its hold on power. That effort continued under Salinas, but paradoxically led to further centralization. However, since Zedillo assumed the presidency, it has become increasingly clear that the survival of the ruling party and, indeed, the viability of his own government require a genuine, de facto reduction of centralism.