Did health reform improve financial protection for disadvantaged groups in Ecuador? A socio-economic inequality assessment of catastrophic health expenditures 2006-2014
In BMJ Open, Edy Quizhpe Ordóñez, Miguel San Sebastian, Enrique Teran, and Anni-Maria Pulkki-Brännström present a socio-economic inequality assessment of Ecuador’s health reforms from 2006 to 2014. The study evaluates whether the reforms—which made public health...
Progress in Development of the Universal Health Plan in the Federation of Kitts and Nevis
This PowerPoint presentation from the 13th Caribbean Conference on Health Financing in Anguilla, in November 2019 covers progress in the development of the universal health plan for Kitts and Nevis. Much of the content is related to the planned national health...
Belgium’s 2025 Health Insurance Budget Approved
The overall budget for healthcare insurance in Belgium for the year 2025, adopted by the Council of Ministers at the end of February, amounts to over 45.222 billion euros. The overall Belgian budget for healthcare insurance in 2025 is over 45.222 billion euros. The...
A “Diagonal” Approach to Integrating Nutrition into Health Systems: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward
This post was first published by the Center for Global Development on 19 November, 2024. Despite decades of global efforts, nutrition remains underprioritized, siloed, and poorly integrated within health systems and universal health coverage (UHC) efforts. This...
Health and social action sector policy letter 2025-2029 – Senegal
In 2025, Senegal's Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS) has developed a health sector policy letter in a participatory and inclusive manner, involving all key players in the sector, under the supervision of the Ministry of the Economy, Planning and Cooperation...
Niger’s Investment Case for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition 2022-2026
The Government of Niger and the Ministry of Public Health, Population and Social Affairs have developed their investment case for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition with the support of the Global Financing Facility. This...
German Chancellor Merz announces massive cuts to social welfare benefits
Germany expedites cuts to social welfare, pensions, and healthcare to cover military spending, deepening poverty for workers and pensioners while sparing the wealthy. Rising deficits fuel class tensions, prompting calls for socialist reorganization.Germany is moving...
Senegal Health Compact 2025 – Towards Universal Health Coverage
This document, published in 2025, materializes the moral, ethical and economic commitment between the government and its development partners, to effectively support the implementation of health and Universal Health Coverage policies.
Bulgarian drug procurement bill blocked, defying EU infringement process
Bulgaria faces EU sanctions as private hospitals, exempt from public procurement, overcharge for medicines. Reformers’ attempts to reintroduce tenders are blocked by political resistance and lobbying, costing the state millions annually and breaching EU rules.Since...
July 14, 1994 – Law on coordinated compulsory health and indemnity insurance from July 14, 1994
The Coordinated Compulsory Health Care Insurance Act was published in Belgium in July 1994. It is the annex to the Royal Decree of July 14, 1994 coordinating the law on compulsory health care insurance in Belgium, and constitutes the basic text organizing compulsory...
Belgian reform package targets excessive medical fees
Belgium’s summer agreement reforms healthcare by limiting excessive doctor surcharges, ensuring fair billing and equal reimbursements, curbing pharmaceutical overspending, and promoting sustainable care while preserving provider autonomy. This marks a historic step...
The Future of Health Financing in Africa: The Role of Health Taxes
Health taxes on products like tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks are a highly effective yet underused tool in Africa for reducing disease and premature death, while simultaneously generating domestic revenue. These taxes can help governments save lives, lessen...
In 2025, the Cuban government allocates 24% of the general budget for health care
The Cuban government shows the importance of health, with 24% of the national budget in 2025 allocated to the sector. Of the health budget, 30% of spending is earmarked for the population over 60 years of age. In 2025, health remains a priority for the Cuban...
Tobacco tax in EU budget: What if Europe goes smoke-free?
The EU plans a 15% levy on member states’ tobacco tax revenues, channeling €11.2B a year into its budget. Dramatic new tax hikes aim to curb smoking and expand funds, with measures factoring in declining tobacco use and anticipated cuts to healthcare costs.The...
Ethiopia Takes Bold Strides on Health Taxes to Drive Universal Health Coverage
Ethiopia’s excise tax reforms on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary drinks showcase political and multisectoral leadership, generating revenue and reducing NCDs while advancing Universal Health Coverage and health system resilience.Ethiopia is emerging as a leader in health...