On January 14, 2025, the Peruvian Government made official the publication of Supreme Decree Nº 001-2025-TR, eliminating the waiting period for pregnant women. Thus, it establishes that pregnant women affiliated to the EsSalud social security system have immediate...

Effective member coverage to be reached by 2025
For the year 2025, which has just begun, there are several challenges for the health system in the Dominican Republic, in order to achieve effective health coverage of the population affiliated to the Family Health Insurance. Among others, it will be necessary to...

Containing costs and nudging doctors and hospitals towards policy goals in Japan
Japan controls health care costs with a fee schedule setting prices and billing conditions. The fee schedule is revised biennially to align with policy goals. Annual price cuts for pharmaceuticals and devices create fiscal space for priority areas. This approach could...
The political economy of national health insurance schemes: evidence from Zambia
Governments in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are increasingly considering national health insurance schemes (NHIS) to achieve universal health coverage (UHC). This article examines the political economy surrounding the establishment of Zambia's NHIS in 2018,...
South Korea’s healthcare expenditure: a comprehensive study of public and private spending across health conditions, demographics, and payer types (2011–2020)
South Korea's healthcare expenditure rose significantly from $45.6 billion in 2011 to $76.9 billion in 2020, accounting for 9.3% of GDP. Despite universal health coverage, out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses remain high, particularly for women and the elderly. Public...
The other health care system in Germany: care for people without health insurance
A study identified 128 institutions in Germany providing healthcare to uninsured individuals. The care offered was varied and often reliant on private donations, with specialties including general medicine, gynecology, and psychiatry, but overall access was uneven and...
Patient’s willingness to pay for improved community health insurance in Tanzania
This study investigates the factors influencing patients' willingness to pay (WTP) for medication and an improved Community Health Insurance Fund (iCHF) in Tanzania, conducted across various healthcare facilities. Findings indicate that most patients are willing to...

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...

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...
Health Financing Progress Matrix Assessment, Jordan 2024
This report presents the findings of the Health Financing Progress Matrix assessment for Jordan, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of its health financing policies in relation to global standards. It identifies key priorities, such as addressing fragmentation...

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...
Determinants of out-of-pocket expenditure on medicines among adults in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study
This study examined out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures on medications among adults in Saudi Arabia using data from the 2018 Family Health Survey. The average OOP expenditure was estimated at 279.69 Saudi Riyals. Key determinants of OOP spending included age, household...
An Analysis of Laws on Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina
European Union's Council of Europe posted the following legal analysis report on its page dedicated to Social Security Coordination and Social Security Reforms: Document title: “An Analysis of Laws on Health Insurance in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Entity, Brcko District...
Development partner influence on domestic health financing contributions in Senegal: a mixed-methods case study
This study examines how development partners influence domestic health financing in Senegal, which is essential for achieving UHC. Researchers identified four main mechanisms of influence: setting standards, lobbying, providing policy advice, and offering financing....

Bulgarian court’s suspension of financial limits on care volume will worsen the budget deficit
On Friday, 13 September, the Supreme Administrative Court finally suspended all financial limits on treatment for Bulgarian patients. This will increase the budget deficit faced by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) which is now obliged to pay hospitals even if...