This document sets out an analytical framework for assessing a country’s governance arrangements for the purchasing function. The purpose of such an assessment is to assist policy-makers and policy advisors in determining whether the existing governance arrangements for the purchasing function are conducive to more strategic purchasing. It can identify gaps in governance arrangements that prevent more strategic purchasing and options for overcoming those gaps.
The analytical framework takes a comprehensive approach to governance. It is designed for assessing the governance of both the health care purchasing system and of an individual purchasing agency, thereby focusing on mandatory health insurance and government health purchasing schemes.
The framework provides guidance to assess the following areas:
1. The broader, political and general governance context and overview of the health financing system;
2. Governance of the health care purchasing system;
3. Governance of an individual purchaser;
4. Conducive factors for effective governance for strategic purchasing.
