PhilHealth benefits now cover outpatient emergency services
The Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) has introduced the Outpatient Emergency Care Benefit (OECB) package, effective January 1, following PhilHealth Circular No. 2024-0033. This initiative allows coverage for emergency procedures and services for patients...
Progress in universal health in the Americas
PAHO’s new report explores unmet healthcare needs, essential service coverage, and financial protection in the Americas. It examines access barriers, economic impacts, and policy gaps, highlighting primary health care's crucial role in advancing equitable, universal...
Iceland’s Act on the Integration of Services in the Interest of Children’s Prosperity (“Prosperity Act”)
Iceland’s Act on the Integration of Services in the Interest of Children’s Prosperity (“Prosperity Act”) seeks to enhance child well-being by ensuring the provision of comprehensive services to children and families early in the policy process. The formal development...
New EU regulation on Health Technology Assessment takes effect
As of January 12, 2025, the EU's Health Technology Assessment Regulation (EU 2021/2282) is officially in force, marking a significant step towards greater collaboration across 27+ countries in evaluating health technologies to improve healthcare decisions.The European...
Minister of Health of Belarus welcomed Belarusbank’s investment into renewal of ambulance vehicles in rural areas and small towns
Belarusbank and the Ministry of Health have signed an agreement to launch a new social initiative titled "Affordable Medical Care with Belarusbank." This project aims to modernize the fleet of medical vehicles serving healthcare institutions in rural areas and small...
Assessment on Reimbursement of Expensive Medicines in Netherlands: Study Highlights Public Opinion on Coverage Lock Policy
Amsterdam, January 8, 2025 – A new study published in PLOS ONE offers critical insights into public opinion regarding the reimbursement of expensive medicines in the Netherlands. The research, led by Féline E. V. Scheijmans and her team from Utrecht University,...
PhilHealth Zero Subsidy: Reflection of Government Neglect
The decision to completely cut the government subsidy for PhilHealth has sparked criticism, as the agency faces scrutiny over its significant reserve funds while many Filipinos struggle with rising healthcare costs. With the subsidy elimination, PhilHealth will rely...
Brazil exempts taxes on ultra-processed food
Brazil’s exemption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) from a selective tax risks worsening non-communicable diseases. Evidence links UPFs to chronic illnesses, highlighting the need for stronger fiscal measures. The Lancet reports that Brazil's decision to exclude...
IMF blog on rethinking health financing
IMF blog highlights fragmented health financing and inadequate domestic spending in low-income countries. They call for integrated health systems, better donor coordination, and increased domestic funding to achieve universal health coverage. In their recent blog for...
Germany begins major reform of its hospital sector
The German parliament has approved a law to restructure the healthcare system, reducing the number of hospitals, expanding clinics, and streamlining bureaucracy through digitalization. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach described the reform as a "revolution."Germany's...
Spain invests additional €1 billion into health insurance of 1.5 million civil servants
The Spanish government has announced a €1 billion increase in funding to sustain the Muface healthcare scheme, which provides coverage for over 1.5 million civil servants and their families. This decision comes after private insurers, including Adeslas, Asisa, and...
Moldova received 2nd phase grant from Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation to improve health financing
Switzerland supports Moldova’s efforts to achieve better health of the population, through ensuring universal access to affordable medical services of good quality. In its 2nd (exit) phase that will end in June 2027, Moldova will receive a grant of over CHF 3.3...
Bosnia and Herzegovina joined the EU4Health programme to benefit from EU funding opportunities
The European Commission and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina signed an agreement associating Bosnia and Herzegovina to the EU4Health programme. This will enhance the country's health system’s capacity to respond to immediate health needs of...
Austria’s Federal Law will enact “digital before outpatient before inpatient” principle for health financing sustainability
Federal Law "Vereinbarungsumsetzungsgesetz" (VUG) 2024 introduced changes to 13 laws to reform healthcare and to create the legal framework for the revision of planning. The bill aims to strengthen the private practice sector, expand digital services, support health...
Hospital reforms in place in Germany
Germany's hospital reform aims to improve financial stability and ensure high-quality inpatient care across the country. Set to be implemented in stages starting January 1, 2025, the reform focuses on meeting patients' needs while reducing bureaucratic burdens and...