[Control of allocation through decision making on requests for care. Study of indications for nursing homes]

The allocation of social services is the central theme in this article. More in particular attention is drawn to the admission-decisions for residential homes. The Dutch government has created specific regulatory forms to control the admission policy of private institutions in this field. Two interrelated goals are associated with this regulation: first that of selectivity (admission restricted to those 'in need'), and second that of objectivity (equal treatment and equal opportunities with regard to admission). This article gives the results of an empirical investigation into the problem of goal-attainment. It is concluded, that both selectivity and objectivity are only partially achieved. These findings will be relevant for intended changes in admission-policy. Current proposals present the choice between more or less centrally guided admission norms, favoring the latter. However, from the theory of rationing this can be seen as a shift towards a more hidden system of rationing, which is less predictable in outcome contrary to the aforementioned goals of selectivity and objectivity.