Privatisation and New Modes of State Intervention: The Long-Term Care Programme in Israel

Abstract

This article analyses the formulation and implementation of a relatively new statutory programme of care services for dependent elderly people in Israel, which has as a basic characteristic the supply of services by non-state agencies. The analysis serves as a basis for an exploration of the effects of privatisation and the emergence of quasi-markets upon the functioning of the welfare state both as a benefits provider and as a major employer. In contrast to the perspectives that consider privatisation as leading to the weakening of the state in the welfare domain, we argue that through the transfer of services supplied by non-state agencies the state protects itself from demands and pressures from clients, while maintaining its control and regulation capabilities. This process decreases the state's accountability towards its citizens, enhancing in turn its autonomy. Privatisation policies do not imply, therefore, the dissolution of the welfare state, but rather the emergence of a new mode of state intervention.

El sindicalismo como vía de ciudadanía laboral. El caso de las cuidadoras y cuidadores migrantes en Israel

“…Si bien las prestaciones por discapacidad son en efectivo, el programa para mayores exige a las familias que contraten a un profesional por el número de horas concedido. Se trata pues de un programa de prestaciones en especie, así concebido desde su inicio (Ajzenstadt y Rosenhek, 2000). Sin embargo, el Estado era reticente a contratar a los cuidadores y a administrar directamente las prestaciones de los mismos.…”

The Long-Term Care Insurance Program in Israel: solidarity with the elderly in a changing society

“…The social roles of families as well as expectations from the state in the realm of welfare have changed. The liberalization of Israeli society changed the roles of various sources of welfare such as the family and the state [9,59-62]. Family structures, roles and responsibilities have weakened in the past two decades [58,63,64].…”

“…Numerous studies have reviewed various aspects of it, including its challenges and achievements [2,9-32]) a . A small number of comparative studies of the Israeli case were published [33-38].…”

Migrant Care Workers in Israel: Between Family, Market, and State

“…Once eligibility is determined, the state does not itself provide the service. Because the government was reluctant to employ the caregivers or publicly administer the provision of care workers, it encouraged the establishment of a quasi-market, in which care-providing agencies are chosen by means of a tender and from which the elderly can obtain the care hours that they are entitled to (Ajzenstadt and Rosenhek 2000).…”