In Slovakia, catastrophic health spending is lower than in many EU countries but has been rising, disproportionately affecting low-income households and older people, mainly due to out-of-pocket spending on outpatient medicines. Despite a comprehensive benefits...
Greece experiences higher levels of catastrophic health spending than many EU countries, with the burden falling most heavily on low-income households due to spending on medicines and outpatient care, while wealthier households face higher costs for inpatient and...
Slovenia has one of the lowest levels of catastrophic health spending in Europe, thanks to its comprehensive publicly financed benefits and, until 2024, complementary voluntary health insurance (VHI) that protected people from co-payments. A major 2024 reform...
Zimbabwe plans to launch its National Health Insurance (NHI) in June 2026 to expand universal health coverage, funded through earmarked taxes. With only 13% covered by medical aid, the NHI will target the uninsured majority, aiming to cut out-of-pocket costs and...
The decree modifying the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS-Bienestar) was published. The modifications include financing, unifying transfers between IMSS-Bienestar and governments of the federative entities in the Fondo de Salud para el Bienestar (FONSABI...
Nigeria will host a National Health Financing Dialogue in September to tackle low health investment, with households paying 76% of costs. The forum will push NHIA Act implementation, insurance expansion, and innovative financing, aiming to cut out-of-pocket spending...
A decade-long study in Kenya found cash transfers reduced child deaths by nearly half. Results, reported by The New York Times, highlight new evidence on poverty reduction and health outcomes.A new study reported by The New York Times shows that unconditional cash...
Published by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the brief (authors: Clara Van Panhuys, Lou Tessier, and Lucrezia Roero di Monticello) examines how social protection systems can support the health and well-being of refugees and forcibly displaced populations...
India’s flagship health insurance scheme, PM-JAY, is under strain as 650 Haryana hospitals suspend services over ₹490 crore unpaid dues, cutting off 18 million people. In J&K, limited hospitals and delayed payments worsen access gaps. Patients face debt, delays,...
Vietnam has expanded health insurance to 94% of its population, with free care targeted by 2035. But out-of-pocket costs remain high at 40%. WHO’s Dr. Pratt stresses stronger financing, efficiency reforms, primary care, and innovation to achieve universal health...
Estonia’s Health Insurance Fund faces a deficit, rising healthcare costs, and criticism after lavish spending exposed governance gaps. Experts and officials urge reforms to improve efficiency, avoid worsening inequalities, and ensure sustainable financing without...
Access to essential medicines, as defined by the World Health Organization, is a cornerstone of universal health coverage. Yet, many people worldwide face high out-of-pocket costs or limited availability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Understanding...
Uganda’s health sector faces funding gaps after donor cuts, forcing higher out-of-pocket costs and disrupting HIV, TB, and maternal health services. Stakeholders urge domestic financing, innovative taxes, and a national insurance scheme to protect vulnerable groups...
This study examined catastrophic health expenditures (CHEs) among low-income households in South Korea using machine learning methods on 2019 Korea Health Panel data. Results showed a 26.2% incidence of CHE, with AdaBoost performing best in prediction, highlighting...
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...
