This study used a discrete choice experiment in Switzerland to examine consumer preferences for value-based insurance design (VBID). Findings showed a strong status quo bias and resistance to higher cost-sharing or limiting low-value care, with preferences varying by...

One in five women in WHO Southeast Asia region covered under health insurance
In WHO Southeast Asia, only 1 in 5 women and 1 in 4 men have health insurance, with major gaps due to cultural, economic, and systemic factors. Tailored policies, stronger financing, and community education are needed to boost coverage and achieve Universal Health...
Strategies for improving migrant health in Iran: a realist review
This realist review of 67 studies identified 27 strategies to enhance migrant health in Iran, focusing on trust-building through intersectoral governance, inclusive insurance to reduce financial barriers, cultural competency to improve accessibility, and community or...
Public Vs. Private Health Insurance in Germany
In Germany, every resident must have health insurance, choosing between public statutory insurance, which is income-based, covers essential care, and includes dependents at no extra cost, or private insurance, which offers modular plans with potentially faster access...

Nepal Health Minister announces doubling of insurance support for patients with severe illnesses
Nepal will double health insurance support for eight critical illnesses to Rs 200,000 from July, also expanding enrollment, funding, and including compulsory insurance for government employees for greater program sustainabilityNepal’s Minister for Health and...

Bulgarian National Assembly Amends Health Insurance Act to Enhance NHIF Management Amid Deficit Concerns
Bulgaria’s National Assembly amended the Health Insurance Act to add a second NHIF deputy governor for better management amid growing fund deficits. Controversy arose over reinstating spending limits on medical care, with critics warning of financial strain on...

Sierra Leone advances towards universal health coverage with key bill discussion
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health, supported by the WHO, held a high-level dialogue on the draft bill to establish the Sierra Leone Agency for Universal Health Coverage (SLAUHC), aiming to unify and streamline national health financing through integration of the Free...

Evolving healthcare in Southern and Southeast Asia
Rapid ageing and rising non-communicable diseases are straining South and Southeast Asia’s underfunded healthcare systems. Countries are boosting funding, adopting digital health, and improving preventive care, but rural access gaps and high costs persist despite...

Croatian Parliament amends Mandatory Health Insurance Act
Croatia expanded health insurance exemptions, raised sickness benefits, reformed healthcare staff rules by abolishing internships, tightened misconduct standards, and passed a law requiring a master’s degree for speech therapists, with two years to comply. The...

Parliament approves Ghana Medical Trust Fund Bill
Ghana approved the MahamaCares Fund to support chronic disease patients outside NHIS coverage, funded by levies and contributions. Despite delays and political concerns over funding and branding, it aims to ease care costs. Further talks with Finance will address...
Health insurance coverage among men and women in six countries within the Southeast Asia Region (2015–2022)
This study assessed health insurance coverage across six WHO Southeast Asia Region countries using Demographic and Health Survey data from 2015–2022. Coverage varied widely, with Indonesia showing the highest levels and Bangladesh and Myanmar the lowest, while...

Morocco Overhauls Health Insurance System with New Unified Structure
Morocco has passed major reforms to unify its basic health insurance system under the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), aiming to improve efficiency, transparency, and access to healthcare as part of King Mohammed VI’s broader vision for universal social...

Indonesia makes impressive progress towards Universal Health Coverage within 10 Years
Indonesia makes impressive progress towards universal health coverage in just 10 years, covering over 98 percent of its population through the Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) Program, thanks to strong government commitment and collaboration among stakeholders. Badan...

Proposed inclusion of new benefits in Uruguay
Uruguay's Minister of Public Health is proposing the inclusion of new benefits in the National Resources Fund basket. These include medical equipment and medicines for heart disease and cancer treatments. In June 2025, the Minister of Public Health, Cristina...

Transforming South Africa’s healthcare: the National Health Insurance Act’s promise of equity for all
South Africa’s National Health Insurance (NHI) Act aims to create a unified, fair, and affordable healthcare system that provides equal access to quality care for all citizens, regardless of income or location. This transformative reform addresses current inequalities...