Co-operatives in health care: global prospects for the development of co-operatives as instruments of consumer-centred health care

This chapter argues that consumer co-operatives offer great potential for health care reform that integrates care around the needs of consumers and contains health costs. Two case studies – of the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle and the Yallourn Hospital and Medical Society near Melbourne – provide examples of co-operative provision in the USA and Australia. The author draws on his own experience in co-operative provision of health care, and provides an outline strategy for transitioning to co-operative health care models.