Definition
Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce goods and services. In health care, the term rationing describes the process by which choices are made when the demand for health care exceeds the resources available. Rationing involves strategies to allocate scarce health care resources under budget constraints such as rationing by denial, selection or deterrence. The reason for rationing in health care is the continuous upward spiral of medical expenses in all health care systems (cost containment).
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© 2008 Springer-Verlag
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(2008). Rationing . In: Kirch, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Public Health. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_2931
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-5614-7_2931
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-5613-0
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-5614-7
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