Victor R. Fuchs

The Contribution of Health Services to the American Economy

Good health is one of mans most precious assets. The desire to live, to be well, to maintain full command over ones faculties and to see ones loved ones free from disease, disability or premature death are among the most strongly rooted of all human desires. That is particularly true of Americans who, on the whole, eschew the fatalism or preoccupation with the hereafter that is characteristic of some other cultures.

Improving the Delivery of Health Services

of heaven seeking admittance. St. Peter stopped him and asked for his qualificationis. He replied, “I am an economist.” St. Peter was a little skeptical and said, “All right. If you’re an economist, explain something to me.” “Oh no,” was the reply, “you don’t understand. You explains something to me, and I’ll show you where you went wrong.” You have fair Warning; this is not going to be a balanced presentation. I shall not spensd any time discussing the many things that are good and right about our presenst health care system ; I shall concentrate oms what can be done to make it better. The problem of improving the delivery of health services will be discussed from three aspects. First, there is the questions of improvement measured purely in medical terms, that is, more effective health care. Second, there is the problem of achieving a more equitable distribution of health services. And finally, I shall consider the question of how to attain greater efficiency in the production of health services.