Integración vertical en el sector colombiano de la salud

Abstract

This paper provides a literature review dealing with vertical integration in healthcare systems with a special emphasis in the Colombian health care sector. We start by introducing some general concerns about vertical integration by presenting some of its traditional advantages and disadvantages. Next, we focus on the consequences of vertical integration in the healthcare sector, taking advantage of the US experience. Then, we describe the Colombian healthcare system and some changes of the vertical integration regulation. Finally, the authors provide some public policy recommendations regarding this regulation. In particular, we recommend to switch from a regulatory approach to a supervision model.