privatization will likely do little to reduce operating costs of the health care system; rather it will simply shift the burden of cost. With increasing privatization, the responsibility for payment will no longer fall on the public purse but will instead become the responsibility of the individual, (Armstrong & Armstrong, 1996).Efficiency and QualityThe increasing competitiveness that comes along with for-profit markets, many believe, will reduce waste and increase efficiency. Because the private market is more concerned with controlling costs in order to increase profit many believe that there would be more efficient waste management and less abuse or misuse of health care resources. However, there is little solid evidence that the current system is abused or subject to overuse, (Armstrong & Fegan, 1998; Wilson, 1995). In fact, if the private sector allows money to govern health care administration the possibility exists that business will diagnose and treat simply for the sake of profit. Both those who support and those who oppose private health care recognize that the quality of care is suffering. Supporters of privatization believe that it is the tyranny of a single-payer, which has led to rationing through the use of queues, to decreasing accessibility and to diminishing quality, (Dirnfeld, 1996, p.409). They believe that a private option in health care would decrease waiting lists for public facilities. This, in turn, would improve access for those using the public system. Evidence shows that an introduction of the private sector would not reduce waiting lists, rather it would alter the way waiting list are structured and prioritized. Instead of greatest necessity being moved to the top of the list, those who could pay would jump the list and receive the care they required. Implications for nursing practice Nursing is a profession based on ethical principles. One of these principles states that nurses must be accountable for t...
