PHM-Exch> WHO The world health report - Health systems financing: the path to universal coverage (2)

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: David Werner <david at healthwrights.org>


[Comment by David Werner on "WHO, The world health report - Health systems
financing: the path to universal coverage" by Margaret Chan, General
Director of WHO]

This is an important if politically muted statement, nominally by the head
of WHO, based on extensive worldwide research. The Report's indisputable
conclusion is that the only way that Health Care for All can be approached
is through Universal Health Coverage managed and paid for collectively,
whereby the rich and the healthy are obliged to help pay for the health
costs of the the poor and the sick -- through what directly or indirectly
comes down to progressive taxation.

The facts are in. WHO's recommendations for far-reaching policy changes are
clear, if politically toothless. As ever, the biggest obstacle is the
short-sighted resistance of the rich and powerful to what they selfishly
condemn as socialized medicine. What it comes down to is that *the Free
Market System is incompatible with Health for Al*l *-- and in the long run
with Health for Anyone. *

David Werner



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