Public opinion and rationing in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom and as in all other countries, health care profession als ration access to diagnosis and treatment. Throughout its history there has been a reluctance to acknowledge the existence, let alone the nature of rationing processes and public opinion about them. Several health policy r eforms are discussed with reference to their approach to dealing with the s carcity of health care resources. Data taken form the 1998 Eurobarometer Su rvey are analysed to examine public opinion regarding rationing issues, suc h as funding for health care, the need to set limits in health coverage, th e role of stakeholders in setting priorities, and the use of age, and other factors, as a criteria for setting priorities. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science I reland Ltd. All rights reserved.