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Do Markets Deliver? Competition and Choice in European Healthcare Markets

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  • Carol Propper

Abstract

In the last two decades European policy makers have sought to increase the use of market mechanisms in the delivery of healthcare. These reforms introduce competition and choice into previously heavily constrained environments. This leads to a set of interesting economic issues that have been addressed in a range of papers, both theoretical and empirical. This paper examines whether this popular reform model has resulted in improvements in outcomes for patients and/or taxpayers. It synthesises the existing economic analyses, highlights what is known and what is not, and signals potential next steps for economic research.

Suggested Citation

  • Carol Propper, 2026. "Do Markets Deliver? Competition and Choice in European Healthcare Markets," CESifo Working Paper Series 12852, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_12852
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I11 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Analysis of Health Care Markets
    • H42 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Private Goods
    • H44 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Publicly Provided Goods: Mixed Markets

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