Since the demise of post-war welfare state, new public management (NPM) became the most influential global paradigm for public sector reform. This is a hybrid concept combining neoliberal pressure on marketization of public services with managerialism defined as incorporating business-like management style into the public sector organizations. This article aims at proving that the health care reforms in Poland were introduced in relatively consistent manner, that is highly compatible with the NPM agenda, particularly in terms of implementation of market-based mechanisms of health services delivery, decentralization and corporatization of public hospitals. This conclusion creates significant policy challenge as NPM agenda is under siege since its numerous adverse effects have been proven. In particular, comprehensive policy response is expected to address the risks associated with extensive marketization, decentralization and corporatization in health care system.
