[Social Healthcare Organizations: a phenomenological expression of healthcare privatization in Brazil]. / Organizações Sociais da Saúde: uma expressão fenomênica da privatização da saúde no Brasil.

The study analyzed the expansion of Social Healthcare Organizations (OSS in Portuguese) in Brazil from 2009 to 2014. The ten largest OSS were measured according to their budget funding and their qualifications as non-profit organizations were explored, considering evidence of their expansion and consolidation in the management and provision of health services via strategies proper to for-profit private enterprises. The study is descriptive and exploratory and was based on public-domain documents. In their relations with government, the OSS have benefited from legal loopholes and incentives and have expanded accordingly. There has been a recent trend for these organizations to simultaneously apply for status as charitable organizations, thereby ensuring multiple opportunities for fundraising and additional tax incentives, permission to invest financial surpluses in the capital market, and remunerate their boards of directors. These organizations tend to concentrate in technology-dense hospital services, with clauses concerning increasing financial transfers to the detriment of other regulatory clauses, and special contract modalities for enabling services that are absolutely strategic for the overall functioning of the Brazilian Unified National Health System. Thus, in this study, the OSS are one component of the Health Economic and Industrial Complex, acting in management, provision, and regulation of services in a scenario of intensive commodification of health and the transfer of public funds to the private sector.

A pesquisa analisou o processo de expansão das Organizações Sociais da Saúde (OSS) no Brasil durante o período de 2009-2014. Para tanto, dimensionou as dez maiores OSS segundo recursos financeiros captados, explorou suas qualificações como entidades sem fins lucrativos, tomando em conta as evidências empíricas que apontam para sua expansão e consolidação no processo de gestão e prestação de serviços de saúde via estratégias próprias de organizações privadas lucrativas. O estudo é descritivo e exploratório, e foi realizado com base em fontes documentais de domínio público. No plano das relações com o Estado, as OSS têm se beneficiado das brechas e facilidades concedidas pela lei e apresentado uma notável expansão. Evidenciou-se um movimento recente das OSS pela busca concomitante da condição de entidades filantrópicas, assegurando múltiplas oportunidades de captação de recursos e de benefícios fiscais; a possibilidade de aplicação de excedentes financeiros no mercado de capitais; e a remuneração de seus corpos diretivos. Há uma concentração em serviços hospitalares com maior densidade tecnológica; nítida predominância de cláusulas respeitantes ao incremento de repasses financeiros em detrimento de outras cláusulas regulatórias; existência de modalidades especiais de contratos com serviços-meios absolutamente estratégicos para o funcionamento geral do Sistema Único de Saúde. Portanto, neste estudo as OSS se configuram como um dos componentes do Complexo Econômico Industrial da Saúde, nas vertentes da gestão, da prestação e da regulação de serviços, em um cenário de intensiva mercantilização da saúde e de transferência de fundo público para o setor privado.

La investigación analizó el proceso de expansión de las Organizaciones Sociales de Salud (OSS) en Brasil, durante el período de 2009-2014. Para ello, se dimensionaron las diez mayores OSS, según los recursos financieros captados, exploró sus características, como entidades sin ánimo de lucro, tomando en consideración las evidencias empíricas que apuntan a su expansión y consolidación en el proceso de gestión y prestación de servicios de salud, vía estrategias propias de organizaciones privadas con ánimo de lucro. El estudio es descriptivo y exploratorio, y fue realizado en base a fuentes documentales de dominio público. En el plano de las relaciones con el Estado, las OSS se han beneficiado de las brechas y facilidades concedidas por la ley y presentado una notable expansión. Se evidenció un movimiento reciente de esas organizaciones por la búsqueda concomitante de su condición como entidades filantrópicas, asegurando múltiples oportunidades de captación de recursos y de beneficios fiscales; la posibilidad de inversión de excedentes financieros en el mercado de capitales; y la remuneración de sus cuerpos directivos. Existe una concentración en servicios hospitalarios con una mayor densidad tecnológica; nítida predominancia de cláusulas, respecto al incremento de transferencias financieras, en detrimento de otras cláusulas regulatorias; existencia de modalidades especiales de contratos con servicios-medios absolutamente estratégicos para el funcionamiento general del Sistema Único de Salud. Por tanto, en este estudio las OSS se configuran como uno de los componentes del Complejo Económico Industrial de la Salud, en las vertientes de la gestión, de la prestación y de la regulación de servicios, en un escenario de intensiva mercantilización de la salud y de transferencia de fondos públicos hacia el sector privado.

Organizações Sociais da Saúde: uma expressão fenomênica da privatização da saúde no Brasil / Social Healthcare Organizations: a phenomenological expression of healthcare privatization in Brazil / Organizaciones Sociales de la Salud: una expresión fenoménica de la privatización de la salud en Brasil

Resumo: A pesquisa analisou o processo de expansão das Organizações Sociais da Saúde (OSS) no Brasil durante o período de 2009-2014. Para tanto, dimensionou as dez maiores OSS segundo recursos financeiros captados, explorou suas qualificações como entidades sem fins lucrativos, tomando em conta as evidências empíricas que apontam para sua expansão e consolidação no processo de gestão e prestação de serviços de saúde via estratégias próprias de organizações privadas lucrativas. O estudo é descritivo e exploratório, e foi realizado com base em fontes documentais de domínio público. No plano das relações com o Estado, as OSS têm se beneficiado das brechas e facilidades concedidas pela lei e apresentado uma notável expansão. Evidenciou-se um movimento recente das OSS pela busca concomitante da condição de entidades filantrópicas, assegurando múltiplas oportunidades de captação de recursos e de benefícios fiscais; a possibilidade de aplicação de excedentes financeiros no mercado de capitais; e a remuneração de seus corpos diretivos. Há uma concentração em serviços hospitalares com maior densidade tecnológica; nítida predominância de cláusulas respeitantes ao incremento de repasses financeiros em detrimento de outras cláusulas regulatórias; existência de modalidades especiais de contratos com serviços-meios absolutamente estratégicos para o funcionamento geral do Sistema Único de Saúde. Portanto, neste estudo as OSS se configuram como um dos componentes do Complexo Econômico Industrial da Saúde, nas vertentes da gestão, da prestação e da regulação de serviços, em um cenário de intensiva mercantilização da saúde e de transferência de fundo público para o setor privado.

Abstract: The study analyzed the expansion of Social Healthcare Organizations (OSS in Portuguese) in Brazil from 2009 to 2014. The ten largest OSS were measured according to their budget funding and their qualifications as non-profit organizations were explored, considering evidence of their expansion and consolidation in the management and provision of health services via strategies proper to for-profit private enterprises. The study is descriptive and exploratory and was based on public-domain documents. In their relations with government, the OSS have benefited from legal loopholes and incentives and have expanded accordingly. There has been a recent trend for these organizations to simultaneously apply for status as charitable organizations, thereby ensuring multiple opportunities for fundraising and additional tax incentives, permission to invest financial surpluses in the capital market, and remunerate their boards of directors. These organizations tend to concentrate in technology-dense hospital services, with clauses concerning increasing financial transfers to the detriment of other regulatory clauses, and special contract modalities for enabling services that are absolutely strategic for the overall functioning of the Brazilian Unified National Health System. Thus, in this study, the OSS are one component of the Health Economic and Industrial Complex, acting in management, provision, and regulation of services in a scenario of intensive commodification of health and the transfer of public funds to the private sector.

Resumen: La investigación analizó el proceso de expansión de las Organizaciones Sociales de Salud (OSS) en Brasil, durante el período de 2009-2014. Para ello, se dimensionaron las diez mayores OSS, según los recursos financieros captados, exploró sus características, como entidades sin ánimo de lucro, tomando en consideración las evidencias empíricas que apuntan a su expansión y consolidación en el proceso de gestión y prestación de servicios de salud, vía estrategias propias de organizaciones privadas con ánimo de lucro. El estudio es descriptivo y exploratorio, y fue realizado en base a fuentes documentales de dominio público. En el plano de las relaciones con el Estado, las OSS se han beneficiado de las brechas y facilidades concedidas por la ley y presentado una notable expansión. Se evidenció un movimiento reciente de esas organizaciones por la búsqueda concomitante de su condición como entidades filantrópicas, asegurando múltiples oportunidades de captación de recursos y de beneficios fiscales; la posibilidad de inversión de excedentes financieros en el mercado de capitales; y la remuneración de sus cuerpos directivos. Existe una concentración en servicios hospitalarios con una mayor densidad tecnológica; nítida predominancia de cláusulas, respecto al incremento de transferencias financieras, en detrimento de otras cláusulas regulatorias; existencia de modalidades especiales de contratos con servicios-medios absolutamente estratégicos para el funcionamiento general del Sistema Único de Salud. Por tanto, en este estudio las OSS se configuran como uno de los componentes del Complejo Económico Industrial de la Salud, en las vertientes de la gestión, de la prestación y de la regulación de servicios, en un escenario de intensiva mercantilización de la salud y de transferencia de fondos públicos hacia el sector privado.

La propiedad sobre las partes separadas del cuerpo: un test para el enfoque propietarista / Ownership over body detached parts: a test for the property approach

El estatuto jurídico de las partes separadas del cuerpo humano (sean órganos, tejidos, células o fluidos) está sometido a discusión, debido a dos motivos: la falta de claridad de dicho estatuto y la urgencia de disponer de él. El «enfoque propietarista» se define por proponer el estatuto genérico de objetos de propiedad privada para las partes separadas del cuerpo. Es indudable que este enfoque presenta muchas ventajas; sin embargo, es posible que tales ventajas no sean suficientes para justificarlo. Con la intención de evaluar esta propuesta, se identifican aquí los fines que debe satisfacer el estatuto jurídico elegido, a partir de los cuales cabe articular un test de aptitud o pertinencia. La aplicación del test a la propiedad privada parece dar un resultado negativo

The legal status of detached human body parts (either organs, tissue, cells or fluids) is under discussion, due to the lack of clarity of such a status and to the pressing need of it. The «property approach» suggests the general status of objects of private property as the most suitable for the detached parts of human bodies. Undoubtedly, the property approach shows many advantages; but they may not be enough to justify it. Looking for a fair assessment of this proposal, we begin by identifying the goals that should by satisfied by the legal status of human detached parts; then we build an expediency test with these goals; lastly, we apply our test to private property. The test result seems to be negative

Affordable orphan drugs: a role for not-for-profit organizations.

AIMS: The success of the Regulation on Orphan Medicinal Products in the European Union is evidenced by the 127 orphan drugs that have had market authorization since 2000. However, the incentives aimed at stimulating research and development have had the unintended consequence of increasing drug cost, resulting in many orphan drugs not being cost-effective. Orphan drugs command an increasing share of the pharmaceutical market and account for a disproportionate amount of healthcare expenditure. Orphan drug ownership by socially motivated, not-for-profit organizations may facilitate access to more affordable orphan drugs, for the benefit of patients and healthcare systems alike. This study aims to describe opportunities for such organizations to become orphan drug Market Authorization Holders. METHODS: We reviewed data on the ownership of EMA designated and approved orphan drugs, identified funding opportunities and business models for not-for-profit organizations, and summarised relevant legal and policy documents concerning intellectual property rights and drug regulation. RESULTS: Using repurposed drugs as a paradigm, this narrative review navigates the regulatory hurdles, describes the legal context and identifies funding opportunities, in a bid to facilitate and encourage not-for-profit organizations to lead on the development of affordable orphan drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Although the regulatory steps required to obtain an MA for an orphan drug are numerous and challenging, they are not insurmountable and can be achieved by not-for-profit organizations that are socially motivated to reduce the costs of orphan drugs to the payers of healthcare. Opportunities for orphan drug development resulting in affordable products lie mainly with repurposed drugs.

The Boy Scouts of America: Slowly Changing.

The Boy Scouts of America National Executive Board (BSA) recently changed its longstanding policy of excluding gay youth up to the age of 18. Gay participants of its coed Venturing program would be allowed to be members until the age of 21. However, lesbians and homosexuals are still not permitted to be troop leaders. This article discusses the evolution of the change in BSA's policy, discusses the timeline of other proposals in regard to BSA's acceptance of gay youth, and suggests that changes in public opinion and the reaction of BSAs stakeholders lead to changes in the BSA policy. The BSA made a change to become more compatible with the environment in which it operates.

[Strategies by civil society organizations for access to breast cancer drugs in the Brazilian Unified National Health System]. / Estratégias de instituições da sociedade civil no acesso a medicamentos para câncer de mama no SUS.

This study aims to identify and analyze strategies by civil society organizations working with breast cancer (CSOs) on access to drugs in Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and the main social actors. A qualitative approach used the snowball technique, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. Thematic analysis was based on the following categories: access to drugs for breast cancer treatment, relationship between CSOs and government, relationship between CSOs and the pharmaceutical industry, and other strategies used by CSOs. The results showed that civil society organizations have influenced access to drugs for breast cancer in the SUS and that their main strategies have focused on pressuring government at all levels. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry sponsors some CSOs in order to strengthen them and expand its own market. The main difficulties in access to such drugs involve insufficient services, unequal treatment, and inclusion of technology in the SUS.

Estratégias de instituições da sociedade civil no acesso a medicamentos para câncer de mama no SUS / Strategies by civil society organizations for access to breast cancer drugs in the Brazilian Unified National Health System / Estrategias de las instituciones de la sociedad civil sobre el acceso a medicamentos para el cáncer de mama en el Sistema Único de Salud brasileño

Esta pesquisa objetiva identificar e analisar as estratégias de instituições da sociedade civil dedicadas ao câncer de mama (ISC-CM) no acesso a medicamentos no SUS e seus principais atores sociais. Utilizou-se a abordagem qualitativa, empregando-se os métodos de análise de redes sociais e bola-de-neve e as técnicas de observação participante e entrevistas semiestruturadas. A análise temática baseou-se nas categorias: acesso a medicamentos para tratamento de câncer de mama; relacionamento das ISC-CM com o Estado; relacionamento das ISC-CM com a indústria farmacêutica; e outras estratégias utilizadas por ISC-CM no acesso a medicamentos. Os resultados mostraram que as ISC-CM têm influenciado o acesso a medicamentos para câncer de mama no SUS e sua principal estratégia é a pressão sobre o Estado. A indústria farmacêutica patrocina algumas dessas instituições para fortalecê-las com o intuito de ampliar seu mercado. As principais dificuldades no acesso a medicamentos se referem à deficiência de serviços, à iniquidade dos tratamentos oferecidos, e à inclusão de tecnologias no SUS.

This study aims to identify and analyze strategies by civil society organizations working with breast cancer (CSOs) on access to drugs in Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS) and the main social actors. A qualitative approach used the snowball technique, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. Thematic analysis was based on the following categories: access to drugs for breast cancer treatment, relationship between CSOs and government, relationship between CSOs and the pharmaceutical industry, and other strategies used by CSOs. The results showed that civil society organizations have influenced access to drugs for breast cancer in the SUS and that their main strategies have focused on pressuring government at all levels. Meanwhile, the pharmaceutical industry sponsors some CSOs in order to strengthen them and expand its own market. The main difficulties in access to such drugs involve insufficient services, unequal treatment, and inclusion of technology in the SUS.

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo identificar y analizar las estrategias de las instituciones de la sociedad civil, dedicadas al cáncer de mama (ISC-CM), sobre el acceso a los medicamentos en el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) y sus actores sociales. Se utilizó un enfoque cualitativo, mediante entrevistas semi-estructuradas, de bola de nieve, y observación participante. El análisis temático se basó en las categorías: acceso a los medicamentos para el tratamiento del cáncer de mama; relación de ISC-CM con el Estado; relación de ISC-CM con la industria farmacéutica; y otras estrategias usadas por el ISC-CM. Los resultados mostraron que el ISC-CM ha influido en el acceso a los medicamentos para el cáncer de mama en el SUS y sus principales estrategias se han centrado en la presión sobre el Estado. Por otro lado, la industria farmacéutica patrocina algunos ISC-CM para fortalecerlos a fin de ampliar su mercado. Las principales dificultades en el acceso a los medicamentos se refieren a los servicios de discapacidad, la falta de equidad de los tratamientos que se ofrecen y la inclusión de la tecnología en el SUS.

Policy commercializing nonprofits in health: the history of a paradox from the 19th century to the ACA.

UNLABELLED: POLICY POINTS: Health policy in the United States has, for more than a century, simultaneously and paradoxically incentivized the growth as well as the commercialization of nonprofit organizations in the health sector. This policy paradox persists during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010. CONTEXT: For more than a century, policy in the United States has incentivized both expansion in the number and size of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations in the health sector and their commercialization. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) began yet another chapter in the history of this policy paradox. METHODS: This article explores the origin and persistence of the paradox using what many scholars call "interpretive social science." This methodology prioritizes history and contingency over formal theory and methods in order to present coherent and plausible narratives of events and explanations for them. These narratives are grounded in documents generated by participants in particular events, as well as conversations with them, observing them in action, and analysis of pertinent secondary sources. The methodology achieves validity and reliability by gathering information from multiple sources and making disciplined judgments about its coherence and correspondence with reality. FINDINGS: A paradox with deep historical roots persists as a result of consensus about its value for both population health and the revenue of individuals and organizations in the health sector. Participants in this consensus include leaders of governance who have disagreed about many other issues. The paradox persists because of assumptions about the burden of disease and how to address it, as well as about the effects of biomedical science that is translated into professional education, practice, and the organization of services for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of illness. CONCLUSIONS: The policy paradox that has incentivized the growth and commercialization of nonprofits in the health sector since the late 19th century remains influential in health policy, especially for the allocation of resources. However, aspects of the implementation of the ACA may constrain some of the effects of the paradox.

Promoting Health with Sports: When Should Nonprofits Qualify for Tax Benefits?

Medical researchers are sounding the alarm that our society's shift to sedentary jobs is triggering an epidemic of chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. This Article brings that modern medical research to a tax debate and hopes to help revolutionize the sports world. This Article's proposal seeks to shift our current excessive emphasis on youth, college, and elite sports to an emphasis on participation by all. Currently, the tax exemption rules vigorously promote youth and college sports but generally deny most-favored tax status to nonprofits promoting nonelite adult sports. These rules are based on doctrines linking sports with education, which developed in a bygone era when sports were for students and the idle rich, and most adults got plenty of physical activity at work. As recently as 1960, approximately fifty percent of all jobs required at least moderate physical activity. By 2006, that figure had plummeted to twenty percent, and the average U.S. male age forty to fifty was thirty-two pounds heavier than his counterpart in 1960. Over this same time span, there has been a dramatic increase in chronic diseases associated with inactivity. Scientists say that greater physical activity and improved diet are the ways to fight this epidemic. This Article makes the case for granting most-favored tax status to organizations that promote nonelite adult athletics and do not charge high fees that would exclude a significant portion of the community.

[Social cooperatives in Italy]. / Les entreprises à économie sociale en Italie.

This paper describes the role of social cooperatives in Italy as a type of economic, non-profit organization and their role in contributing to the economic and social growth of the country. The purpose of this paper is to learn more about the experience of the Italian social cooperatives in promoting the work integration process of disadvantaged workers, especially those suffering from mental disorders, from a theoretical and an empirical point of view. Social enterprise is the most popular and consolidated legal and organizational model for social enterprises in Italy, introduced by Law 381/91. Developed during the early 1980s, and formally recognized by law in the early 1990s, social cooperatives aim at pursuing the general interest of the community to promote the human needs and social inclusion of citizens. They are orientated towards aims that go beyond the interest of the business owners, the primary beneficiary of their activities is the community, or groups of disadvantaged people. In Italy, Law 381/91 distinguishes between two categories of social cooperatives, those producing goods of social utility, such as culture, welfare and educational services (A-type), and those providing economic activities for the integration of disadvantaged people into employment (B-type). The main purpose of B-type social cooperatives is to integrate disadvantaged people into the open labour market. This goal is reached after a period of training and working experience inside the firm, during which the staff works to improve both the social and professional abilities of disadvantaged people. During the years, B-type social co-ops acquired a particular relevance in the care of people with mental disorders by offering them with job opportunities. Having a job is central in the recovery process of people suffering from mental diseases, meaning that B-type social co-ops in Italy play an important rehabilitative and integrative role for this vulnerable population of workers. The recent literature has highlighted that difficulties with employment are a feature of mental disorders, with high unemployment rates and short job tenure. Yet, success in employment for this population can be expected when they are provided with adequate support and opportunities. B-type social cooperatives in Italy are found to be very useful in order to help this disadvantaged category of workers find and keep a job. The work environment is more flexible and allows a better integration with less stigma and better work accommodations compared to the open labour market and/or other public/private organizations. Results from B-type Italian social cooperatives studies show that mentally ill workers value the importance of working, are highly satisfied with their job, are motivated to continue working, are engaged in their job and willing to work in the competitive labour market. Also, studies show that environmental characteristics of the social cooperative, such as the implementation of work accommodations and the possibility to work in an environment that is highly supportive, have an impact on increasing the likelihood of being highly satisfied with the job, which in turn is positively related to job tenure. In sum, this article shed light on the historical background that led to the development of social cooperatives in Italy. Furthermore, the features of B-type co-ops that play a central role in facilitating the work integration of people with mental disorders are described in this paper. In general, Italian B-type social cooperatives are found to provide a meaningful work experience to people with mental disorders, that help them increase not only vocational outcomes, but also psycho-social outcomes, and generally to help them better integrate into society.

Ascension health's demonstration of full disclosure protocol for unexpected events during labor and delivery shows promise.

Communicating openly and honestly with patients and families about unexpected medical events-a policy known as full disclosure-improves outcomes for patients and providers. Although many certification and licensing organizations have declared full disclosure to be imperative, the adoption of and adherence to a full disclosure protocol is not common practice in most clinical settings. We conducted a case study of Ascension Health's implementation of a full disclosure protocol at five labor and delivery demonstration sites. Twenty-seven months after implementation, the rate of full disclosure had increased by 221 percent. Practitioners saw insurers' acceptance of the full disclosure protocol, consistent and ongoing leadership by local practitioners and hospitals, the establishment of a well-trained local investigation and disclosure team, and disclosure training for practitioners as key catalysts for change. Lessons learned from this multisite initiative can inform liability insurers and guide providers who are committed to ensuring that full disclosure becomes the only response to unexpected medical events.

Establishing CASA as an evidence-based practice.

In this article the authors examine the evidentiary status of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program through a review of current research findings and a critical analysis of the study methodologies used to produce those findings. Due to the equivocal research findings and widespread methodological weaknesses (most notably selection bias) in the literature base, it is determined that there is not currently enough evidence to establish CASA as an evidence-based practice. In spite of the challenges to the feasibility of such research, a future research agenda is suggested that calls for the execution of large randomized controlled trials in order to produce findings that will inform a deeper understanding of CASA effectiveness in improving child outcomes.