система здравоохранения, финансирование, медицинские услуги, государственное регулирование, децентрализация, рыночные механизмы, Economic growth, development, planning, HD72-88, Economics as a science, HB71-74

This article provides an overview of French and Russian experience in introduction of market mechanisms in their heath care. Based on comparative analysis we describe the situation in health care systems in 1990s, then we study the influence of market mechanisms on heath care performance and then we identify the results of the reforms. In conclusion we describe a method of enhancing the effectiveness of health care, which can be applied both in Russia and in France.