Equity during an economic crisis: Financing of the Argentine health system

Eleonora Cavagnero, Marcel Bilger

Publikation: Wissenschaftliche FachzeitschriftOriginalbeitrag in FachzeitschriftBegutachtung

Abstract

This article analyses the redistributive effect caused by health financing and the distribution of healthcare utilization in Argentina before and during the severe 2001/2002 economic crisis. Both dramatically changed during this period: the redistributive effect became much more positive and utilization shifted from pro-poor to pro-rich. This clearly demonstrates that when utilization is contingent on financing, changes can occur rapidly; and that an integrated approach is required when monitoring equity. From a policy perspective, the Argentine health system appears vulnerable to economic downturns mainly due to high reliance on out-of-pocket payments and the strong link between health insurance and employment.
OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)479 - 488
FachzeitschriftJournal of Health Economics
Jahrgang29
Ausgabenummer4
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 2010

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