HEALTHCARE FINANCING AND BUDGETING: THE REGIONAL POLICY PRIORITIES IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19

Abstract. This paper summarizes the arguments and counter-arguments in scholarly debates on transformations healthcare budgeting that should consider differentiated regional vulnerability responding to pandemic. The primary purpose of study is identify priorities for local health development programs. urgency solving this problem pandemic has revealed unprecedented unpreparedness care system respond effectively challenges; also, hidden problems accumulated during last decades, which increase emerging risks. carried out following logical sequence: 1) collection, processing, analysis statistical data; 2) conducting a cluster group regions by different classes diseases; 3) correlation regression compare effects COVID-19 (cases deaths) state region; 4) selection most significant features 5) designing matrix choice financing targeted programs field care. Methodological tools were methods analysis, testing autocorrelation Darbin — Watson method, sigma limited parameterization coefficients. method tested 25 Ukraine (including Kyiv), as they can serve pilots other with similar demographic economic characteristics. article presents results an empirical readiness critical conditions, such COVID-19. Identifying appropriate distribution disease allows make decisions improve quality care.
 Keywords: COVID-19, step-by-step nonlinear regression, morbidity, mortality, profile, pandemic, multicollinearity, targeting budgeting.
 JEL Classification C21, C51, C31, C12, I15, I18, R58, R11
 Formulas: 9; fig.: 5; tabl.: 7; bibl.: 36.