Fair Sharing of Resources
Shared resources managed fairly regarding contribution, benefit, and prudential use
WHAT IS IT?
Firstly, this principle defines "shared resources" as all resources necessary for the central health capabilities of all people. This is because achieving health capability for all is a shared goal and resource sharing lets us organize the resources in the most effective way towards the goal. Secondly, the fair sharing of resources principle specifies how shared resources should be built and used. The following three components are critical: 1) contribution of one's capability-based share to the collective; 2) receipt of one’s fair share, based on the health capability assessment; 3) prudential use of all resources.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Fair sharing of resources is necessary for successful health governance because health demands resources beyond an individual’s or group’s capacity to provide. Many individuals lack the resources to achieve optimal health, often due to morally arbitrary reasons. To achieve the common goal of health capability for all, we must treat resources as shared assets towards shared objectives.
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The three components of fair resource sharing will be effectuated as follows. 1) For fair contribution, each actor needs to contribute resources based on a sliding scale of progressive financing. Progressive financing means that contribution is made at multiple stages of a project, based on ability to pay, instead of the willingness to pay and a lump sum at the beginning or the end. A sliding scale expects more from those who can pay more. 2) For a fair receipt, each individual and all collective actors receive resources based on their health capability needs, as assessed by their current health functioning and health agency, compared to an optimal standard. 3) Lastly, everyone is expected to use all resources wisely and parsimoniously – efficiency is crucial. One should not demand more than their bona fide and reasonably acceptable needs.
HOW DO WE DO IT?
To achieve fair sharing of resources, we should refer to our existing self- and other-regarding thoughts and behaviors. All individuals and groups govern shared resources under SHG, not one central institution. This makes SHG distinct from conventional solidarity or socialism. Hence, we need to start with people's voluntary thoughts and actions to participate in the joint endeavor of sharing resources to achieve collective health. This is in everyone’s best interest. This could follow the establishment of public moral norms and mutual collective accountability.