Semi-Privatization of Health Services in Costa Rica for the Welfare of the State's Finances and the People

In Costa Rica there is free public healthcare, under the tutelage of the state in an institution known as 'Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social'. Public services are by definition inefficient, unsuccessfully attending all the subjects seeking medical care, with extensive lines for appointments. The best approach to minimize economic loses for the state, while offering a better service, is to contract private groups that would administrate and give the healthcare service to all the beneficiaries, but always as a free service. Under this system, the state finances the service while keeping an ongoing development of health service infrastructure and equipment along with a tight supervision of the services given. As seen here, contracts with private entities under a similar system would be more cost effective, cheaper, efficient and receive better reviews from the clients in comparison with those given directly by the state. Therefore, it is an arrangement where social policies remain intact and the finances of the state optimized.