This article, published in the SSM-Health Systems Journal by Science Direct, delves into the critical issue of inefficiencies in healthcare financing and their impact on fiscal space within health systems.
Through a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature, the paper synthesizes evidence on the reforms aimed at addressing these inefficiencies, their fiscal impact, and feasibility. Findings suggest that while inefficiencies in health financing persist globally, empirical evidence on the savings generated by reform efforts is limited and mixed. Moreover, the feasibility and implementation processes of these reforms are poorly documented, with evidence suggesting it takes several years for efficiency-enhancing reforms to yield tangible results. The study underscores the need for further research to better understand how to translate identified inefficiencies into increased fiscal space, emphasizing the importance of political economy considerations and country-specific analysis in projecting financial savings realistically.
