The Journal of American health policy
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Ten years ago, there was widespread optimism that market competition would succeed in controlling health cost inflation and restructuring the health care industry in socially desirable ways. Today, many view competitive reform as a failed strategy. ⋯ Efforts to promote competitive reform were halfhearted and partially offset by a growth of regulation. What lessons can be learned from the competitive experiment and how will health policy evolve in the future?
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Since Harry Truman called for national health insurance in 1948, presidential candidates have tried with little success to engage the nation in a discussion of health policy. With the single exception of John Kennedy in 1960, candidates of both major parties have failed to raise health care to the "first tier" of campaign debate. ⋯ S. prepares for the 1992 election, Democrats hope to break that cycle. While polls show greater interest among voters, indications are a serious national debate is not likely until 1996.
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The World Health Organization has chalked up some impressive victories in its 43 years but is nowhere near reaching its ambitious goal of "Health for All by the Year 2000." Uphill battles against some intractable health conundrums and shrinking financial resources face the Geneva, Switzerland-based organization, threatening its stated goal of guaranteeing universal health care within the decade.