The role of private equity funds in healthcare: trends, impact and policy responses.

Introduction This special issue focuses on the increasing involvement of private equity funds in health systems, its impact and possible policy responses. It builds on previous work by the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, its partners and the Health Systems and Policies Monitor (HSPM) expert network [1], and is related to the broader trend of financialisation in which financial markets, actors and institutions play an ever greater role in shaping societies [2]. In a 2023 editorial [3], we drew attention to the growing role of private equity funds in the primary care sector in many European countries and possible implications for equity, access to care, competition, the long-term economic prospects of providers, data protection and healthcare costs. The editorial called for more research and policy action – accordingly this special issue documents the expansion of private equity funds across health systems in North America and Europe and identifies what could or should be done about it.