Non-Governmental Organisations and Health Care System Ideas

Abstract

The picture of global social policy in the field of health care systems is even more complex when taking into account yet other global health actors, such as business organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs). Given the specific focus of this book, namely on models of health care systems, the number of such non-governmental actors, generating and disseminating knowledge and ideas on health care systems, and being able to join in related discourses, is much smaller, though. On the one hand, among business actors, for example, health receives relatively little attention (Farnsworth, 2005: 75); and business actors impact on health care systems instead through other related policy fields, rather than through a direct engagement in the health sector (via insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and so on). These actors might, however, also have an impact on supranational health regulations, and may try to influence trade agreements in their own interest. Looking at CSOs, many of their activities are either concentrated on very specific health issues, in specific regions, or such organisations may be primarily active in on-the-ground activities (for example in the direct provision of health services and medicines). CSOs might be directly engaged with international organisations, and might try to influence their ideas and activities. However, their scope for producing comprehensive or complex ideas, models and reform suggestions for health care systems independently appears to be rather limited.