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Equity in out-of-pocket payment in Chile

OBJECTIVE: To assess the distribution of financial burden in Chile, with a focus on the burden and progressivity of out-of-pocket payment. METHODS: Based on the principle of ability to pay, we explore factors that contribute to inequities in the health system finance and issues about the burden of o...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Mondaca, Alicia Lorena Núñez, Chi, Chunhuei
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Faculdade de Saúde Pública da Universidade de São Paulo 2017
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5433787/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28492762
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1518-8787.2017051006666
Descripción
Sumario:OBJECTIVE: To assess the distribution of financial burden in Chile, with a focus on the burden and progressivity of out-of-pocket payment. METHODS: Based on the principle of ability to pay, we explore factors that contribute to inequities in the health system finance and issues about the burden of out-of-pocket payment, as well as the progressivity and redistributive effect of out-of-pocket payment in Chile. Our analysis is based on data from the 2006 National Survey on Satisfaction and Out-of-Pocket Payments. RESULTS: Results from this study indicate evidence of inequity, in spite of the progressivity of the healthcare system. Our analysis also identifies relevant policy variables such as education, insurance system, and method of payment that should be taken into consideration in the ongoing debates and research in improving the Chilean system. CONCLUSIONS: In order to reduce the detected disparities among income groups, healthcare priorities should target low-income groups. Furthermore, policies should explore changes in the access to education and its impact on equity.