benefits in 1953 ___. lion, private carriers were responsible for 62 percent, State funds for 25 percent, and self-insurers for 13 percent. Total State fund disbursements, including payments to Federal Government employees, again increased at a slightly faster rate than private carrier payments-5.6 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. The unevenness in the rate of increase from State to State...

There has been an international trend over the past two decades to encourage more competition in health care by introducing market-related reforms, particularly in countries where health care is publicly financed and provided. Such reforms have included developing competition between providers; competition between insurers; the regulation of prices; greater information and choice for patients; ...