Competition and efficiency in health care: An analysis of the Italian case

In this paper we look at the Italian National Health System as a case study , in order to investigate whether competition exerts positive effects on th e efficiency of hospitals. Using the DEA technique we measure the efficienc y of Italian hospital production; secondly, we take a regression analysis a pproach to analyse its determinants. A general conclusion stemming out of t he analysis is that competition is not a value per se and that its effects on hospitals' performance are affected by the rules governing the health sy stem.