Abstract

The two major functions of vouchers are, first, to provide the poor with the means to avail themselves of medical services they could not otherwise afford; and second, to allow persons to choose health care providers and services for themselves rather than have them imposed benignly (or otherwise) intentioned goverment functionaries. When vouchers are combined with other measures to promote diversity and competition within the health care industry, a third goal can be achieved: the provision of health goods at lower cost.