A Empirical Study on "Quasi-Market" in Social Care Service

自2000年实行长期护理保险制度以来，地方政府直接为老年人提供的护理服务有所减少。相反，私营护理提供者作为公司和非营利组织，一直在进入护理服务市场。我研究了一些在当地政府的支持下运营的护理机构。其中，广岛福利服务公社和京都福利服务协会是有趣的案例。尤其是后者，因为它是在长期护理保险制度下的新环境下成长起来的，所以特别令人好奇。它的成功可以归功于针对相应护理消费者的运营改革，公共长期护理保险制度在老年护理服务领域创造了一个准市场。因此，在长期护理保险制度下，地方政府成为服务使用者和服务提供者协调的承保人。此外，他们还必须帮助需要福利和卫生服务但受益于保险的老年人。这些地方政府服务正在试错中发展，照护服务领域的准市场将在未来成长起来。我打算继续研究它。

Since the long-term care insurance system was introduced in 2000, care services which local governments directly supplied for the elderly have been decreased. Instead, private care providers, as companies and NPOs, have been going into the care service market. I researched some care providers which have operated with back up from local government. Among them Hiroshima public corporation of welfare service and Kyoto welfare service association are interesting cases. Especially the latter is curious because it is growing up in the new circumstance under the long-term care insurance system. Its success may be attributed to reforms of operation which aim at corresponding care consumers.The public long-term care insurance system created a quasi-market in care service sector for the elderly. Consequently local governments became insurers who have to coordinate service user with service provider under the long-term care insurance system. Moreover they have to aid the elderly who need welfare and health services but benefit from the insurance. These local government services are developing by trial and error.The quasi-market in care service sector hereafter will grow up. I intend to go on researching it.