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Introduction: Health Systems, Decentralization, and Change

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Health System Decentralization and Recentralization

Part of the book series: International Series on Public Policy ((ISPP))

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Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to introduce the overall topic of investigation. After reviewing the literature on health system classification, the chapter provides conceptual and operational definitions of decentralization, defines change in health system decentralization, and therefore clarifies what recentralization entails. Instead of considering decentralization as the transfer of a unique block of authority and responsibility, the concept is articulated into three different dimensions: politico-legislative, administrative, and fiscal. Moreover, the chapter describes decentralization and recentralization strategies in several European health systems, and introduces key analytical concepts for the understanding of institutional continuity and change. Finally, an overview of the book is presented.

Parts of this chapter, as well as of Chapters 2, 3, and 5, have been published in Social Policy & Administration (2018), 1–15. http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/spol.12458.

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    Andrea Terlizzi

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Terlizzi, A. (2019). Introduction: Health Systems, Decentralization, and Change. In: Health System Decentralization and Recentralization. International Series on Public Policy . Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11757-3_1

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