BACKGROUND The relationship between payments towards healthcare and ability to pay is a measure of financial fairness. Analysis of progressivity is important from an equity perspective as well as for macroeconomic and political analysis of healthcare systems. Bangladesh health systems financing is characterized by high out-of-pocket payments (63.3%), which is increasing. Hence, we aimed to see ...

THE NATION’S private consumer expenditures for medical care amounted in 1961 to $21.1 billion$1.3 billion or approximately 7 percent more than the amount spent in 1960. Direct out-of-pocket payments by consumers amounted to $14.4 billion or 68 percent of the total. The balance of $6.7 billion, representing payments for health insurance, was $832 million or 14 percent greater than the amount spe...

BACKGROUND Out-of-pocket payments in health care have been shown to impose significant burden on households in Sub-Saharan Africa, leading to constrained access to health care and impoverishment. In an effort to reduce the financial burden imposed on households by user fees, some countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have abolished user fees in the health sector. Zambia is one of few countries in Sub...

BACKGROUND A social health insurance (SHI) program was implemented in Vietnam in 1992. Participation is compulsory for some groups, such as formal-sector workers and voluntary for other groups. In 2013, 68% of the total population was covered by SHI, with most enrollees from compulsory groups. Enrollment has remained low among persons whose enrollment is voluntary. As a result, households face ...

BACKGROUND In recent years, Bulgaria has increasingly relied on out-of-pocket payments as one of the main sources of health care financing. However, it is largely unknown whether the official patient charges, combined with informal payments, are affordable for the population. Our study aimed to explore the scale of out-of-pocket payments for health care services and their affordability. METHO...

BACKGROUND Out-of-pocket (OOP) payment on healthcare is dominant mode of financing in developing countries. In Pakistan it is 67% of total expenditure on healthcare. Analysis of determinants of OOP health expenditure is a key aspect of equity in healthcare financing. It helps to formulate an effective health policy. Evidence on OOP in Pakistan is sparse. This paper attempts to fill this researc...

BACKGROUND The Chilean health system has undergone profound reforms since 1990, while going through political upheaval and facing demographic, health, and economic transformations. The full information requirements to develop an evidence-informed process implied the best possible use of the available data, as well as efforts to improve information systems. OBJECTIVE To examine, from a histori...

BACKGROUND Public prescription drug plans vary markedly across Canada. To address perceived inequities in coverage across provinces, the February 2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal committed to ensuring that all Canadians have reasonable access to catastrophic drug coverage. A national standard for "reasonable" catastrophic coverage has yet to be formally defined. OBJECTIVE T...

BACKGROUND Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is endemic mostly in remote and rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa. The treatment goal for onchocerciasis has shifted from control to elimination in Africa. For investment decisions, national and global policymakers need evidence on benefits, costs and risks of elimination initiatives. METHODS We estimated the health benefits using a dynamical transm...

BACKGROUND This paper presents an analysis of the main characteristics of the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) health financing systems and draws similarities and differences between GCC countries and other high-income and low-income countries, in order to provide recommendations for healthcare policy makers. The paper also illustrates some financial implications of the recent implementation of...