Public-Private Partnerships in Health: Analysis and reflection about the economics and financial aspects

Isa António

Keywords

Public-Private Partnerships; Sustainability, Efficiency; “Value for Money”; “Public Comparator Sector”; National Health Service; Health; Social State

Abstract

This study aims to address the economic and financial aspects of public- private partnerships in the health sector.

In the first part of this article, we define and characterize the legal concept of public-private partnerships, referring its origins and main goals for which was conceived and created.

Secondly, we proceed to a developed analysis concerning of the legal, economic and financial aspects of the public-private partnership’s model. With this purpose we explain the meaning of the economic concepts of “Value for Money” and “Public Comparator Sector”, and the relevance to the conclusion of PPP contracts by the State, instead other traditional forms of procurement.

We also mentioned some important risks of PPP, such as “capture” by the privates, disrespect of the Portuguese Constitution relating the right to health by every citizen, in conditions of equality, universality and tendential gratuity.