Health policy in Finland. Organization, planning, and high technology development

This article surveys attempts by the Finnish government to plan and budget health care since the Primary Health Care Act of 1972. A national board of health allocates approved resources to local authorities who develop plans for preventative and primary health care and hospital services. The acquisition of expensive technologies are debated at the national level. The author presents studies which suggest that there is a considerable need for expansion of both diagnostic and therapeutic technologies in Finland. These adjustments will be necessary to meet the needs of an economically, socially, and demographically changing country.