HELICOPTERS, HEARTS AND HIPS - USING WILLINGNESS-TO-PAY TO SET PRIORITIES FOR PUBLIC-SECTOR HEALTH-CARE PROGRAMS

The paper reports from a study that asked 150 interviewees their willi ngness to pay (WTP) in increased earmarked taxation for three differen t health care programmes: a helicopter ambulance service, more heart o perations and more hip replacements. Reasons behind the stated WTP wer e asked for. Ordinary least squares regression analyses were used to a nalyse factors associated with WTP for each of the three programmes, a nd factors associated with the relative WTP for one programme compared with the total of the three. Comparisons were made of WTP for these p rogrammes and the health outcome in terms of quality adjusted life yea rs. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.