A guide to competitive vouchers in health.

This guide identifies the advantages of competitive voucher schemes in delivering subsidies; describes the circumstances under which they are superior to other subsidy mechanisms; and explains how to design implement monitor and evaluate a voucher scheme. It provides a broad outline of the problems faced by health systems the rationale for government intervention and the different ways in which governments and donors subsidize health care. The guide does not advocate greater use of vouchers but simply raises awareness about voucher schemes offering policymakers guidance on the choices and decisions they need to make. It also highlights some pitfalls of voucher schemes and describes the different formats vouchers can take depending on the health problems being addressed and the objectives policymakers wish to achieve. (excerpt)