Health reform in Mexico: the promotion of inequality.
The Mexican health reform can be understood only in the context of neoliberal structural adjustment, and it reveals some of the basic characteristics of similar reforms in the Latin American region. The strategy to transform the predominantly public health care system into a market-driven system has been a complex process with a hidden agenda to avoid political resistance. The compulsory social security system is the key sector in opening health care to private insurance companies, health maintenance organizations, and hospital enterprises mainly from abroad. Despite the government's commitment to universal coverage, equity, efficiency, and quality, the empirical data analyzed in this article do not confirm compliance with these objectives. Although an alternative health policy that gradually grants the constitutional right to health would be feasible, the new democratically elected government will continue the previous regressive health reform.
Laurell
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Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Callejón de Chilpa 23-9, 04000 Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico, USA.
D019983:Guideline Adherence; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D019981:Health Care Sector; D006292:Health Priorities; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D008800:Mexico; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D011057:Politics; D011332:Privatization / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000639:trends; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D012946:Social Welfare / Q000639:trends; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors