[The World Health Organization Report 2000: a politically incorrect computer game]

The World Health Organization Report 2000 is aimed at supporting an evidence-based development of health care systems in the world. The report has brought about a significant political and academic debate. This article reviews the contribution of the WHO Report to current health care policy, as well as analyzes and comments the main published critiques. Through a commented compilation of the health care reforms implemented over the last fifteen years in the world, WHO shifts radically its traditional position supporting now universal access to health care and a strong government's conduction role, but within a financial risk sharing environment, public and private co-operation and deregulation of the public management of health care institutions. WHO ranks in this report the 191 countries according to their health care systems' goal attainment and performance using a very weak, obscure and artificial methodology which has been opposed internationally. WHO is, however, committed to continue this initiative without apparently any major changes in the general and methodological approach.