Who pays for health care in Asia?

J Health Econ. 2008 Mar;27(2):460-75. doi: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2007.08.005. Epub 2007 Nov 29.

Abstract

We estimate the distributional incidence of health care financing in 13 Asian territories that account for 55% of the Asian population. In all territories, higher-income households contribute more to the financing of health care. The better-off contribute more as a proportion of ability to pay in most low- and lower-middle-income territories. Health care financing is slightly regressive in three high-income economies with universal social insurance. Direct taxation is the most progressive source of finance and is most so in poorer economies. In universal systems, social insurance is proportional to regressive. In high-income economies, the out-of-pocket (OOP) payments are proportional or regressive while in low-income economies the better-off spend relatively more OOP. But in most low-/middle-income countries, the better-off not only pay more, they also get more health care.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asia
  • Cost Sharing
  • Delivery of Health Care / economics*
  • Financing, Personal
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Expenditures
  • Humans
  • Socioeconomic Factors*