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John P. Mulreany, MA, Department of Philosophy, Loyola University Chicago, 6525 N. Sheridan Rd., Chicago, IL 60626, 773-508-3227, jmulrea@luc.edu and Jason W. Sapsin, JD, MPH, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 624 N. Broadway, Room 582, Baltimore, MD 21205-1996.
Privatization is advocated as a way for developing countries to combat the problems of corruption, inefficiency, and inadequate financing in the provisioning of public services like water. Proponents argue that water privatization has the potential to improve the epidemiological environment for the poor through increased water access and better service quality. Recent economic literature points to the economic and public health benefits of water privatization in Latin America. A careful consideration of the evidence, however, suggests the positive outcomes come at a significant social cost. Governments have privatized water systems at the urging of global institutions like the World Bank over widespread public opposition undermining democracy; there is evidence that tiered systems emerge based on economic status; there is little economic incentive for the provider to serve the poor well. Finally, privatization misses the opportunity to develop existing community public health capacities. Overall, privatization denotes a troubling shift away from the conception of public health services as a public good requiring societal investment to the conception of these services as a commodity, which a user purchases as he or she can afford. Rather than promoting privatization as a solution to providing public services, global institutions should focus on growing the capacities of developing countries to maintain public institutions whose sole mission is the public good.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session the participant will be able to
Keywords: Water, Latin American
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.