As the costs of health care have escalated in recent years, governments have encouraged private markets to assume a greater role in providing what were formerly state services. The impetus for this development stemmed from attempts to control public expenditure and reduce the role of the state.

This topical collection by eminent scholars examines the growing role of private markets in the provision and finance of health and welfare services in six Western countries - the UK, Canada, France, Italy, Sweden and the United States - and three Central European countries - Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. It charts the extent and nature of private markets in health and welfare and considers whether the principal beneficiaries have been the state, the consumers or the commercial providers. The services covered include domiciliary and residential services for elderly and disabled people, housing and a varied range of health services.

The book raises issues which are not only politically significant, but which also have a personal relevance to us all.