Against the background of economic globalization, the economy of many countries has been inevitably affected by the globle financial crisis. But the impact varies. China, as one of the leading countries in globalizati...Against the background of economic globalization, the economy of many countries has been inevitably affected by the globle financial crisis. But the impact varies. China, as one of the leading countries in globalization, the direct or indirect impact it suffered can be imagined. The Chinese government adopted a series of measures to deal with the financial crisis.展开更多
The WHO World Health Assembly, and the most recent WHO World Health Report, have called for all health systems to move toward universal coverage. However, low-income countries have made little progress in this respect...The WHO World Health Assembly, and the most recent WHO World Health Report, have called for all health systems to move toward universal coverage. However, low-income countries have made little progress in this respect. We use existing evidence to describe the evolution of community-based health insurance in low-income countries through the three stages of basic model, enhanced model, and nationwide model. We have concluded that community-based health insurance development is a potential strategy to meet the urgent need for health financing in low-income countries. With careful planning and implementation, it is possible to adopt such evolutionary approach to achieve universal coverage by extending tax-based financing/social insurance characteristics to community-based health insurance schemes.展开更多
Background:The End Tuberculosis(TB)Strategy of the World Health Organization highlights the need for patientcentered care and social protection measures that alleviate the financial hardships faced by many TB patients...Background:The End Tuberculosis(TB)Strategy of the World Health Organization highlights the need for patientcentered care and social protection measures that alleviate the financial hardships faced by many TB patients.In China,TB treatments are paid for by earmarked government funds,social health insurance,medical assistance for the poor,and out-of-pocket payments from patients.As part of Phase III of the China-Gates TB project,this paper introduces multi-source financing ofTB treatment in the three provinces of China and analyzes the challenges of moving towards universal coverage and its implications of multi-sectoral engagement for TB care.Main text:The new financing policies forTB treatment in the three provinces include increased reimbursement forTB outpatient care,linkage ofTB treatment with local poverty alleviation programs,and use of local government funds to cover some costs to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.However,there are several challenges in reducing the financial burdens faced byTB patients.First,medical costs must be contained by reducing the profit-maximizing behaviors of hospitals.Second,treatment forTB and multi-drug resistant TB(MDR-TB)is only available at county hospitals and city or provincial hospitals,respectively,and these hospitals have low reimbursement rates and high co-payments.Third,many patients with TB and MDR-TB are at the edge of poverty,and therefore ineligible for medical assistance,which targets extremely poor individuals.In addition,the local governments of less developed provinces often face fiscal difficulties,making it challenging to use of local government funds to provide financial support for TB patients.We suggest that stakeholders at multiple sectors should engage in transparent and responsive communications,coordinate policy developments,and integrate resources to improve the integration of social protection schemes.Conclusions:The Chinese government is examining the establishment of multi-source financing forTB treatment by mobilization of funds from the government and social protection schemes.These efforts require strengthening the cooperation of multiple sectors and improving the accountability of different government agencies.All key stakeholders must take concrete actions in the near future to assure significant progress toward the goal of alleviating the financial burden faced byTB and MDR-TB patients.展开更多
文摘Against the background of economic globalization, the economy of many countries has been inevitably affected by the globle financial crisis. But the impact varies. China, as one of the leading countries in globalization, the direct or indirect impact it suffered can be imagined. The Chinese government adopted a series of measures to deal with the financial crisis.
文摘The WHO World Health Assembly, and the most recent WHO World Health Report, have called for all health systems to move toward universal coverage. However, low-income countries have made little progress in this respect. We use existing evidence to describe the evolution of community-based health insurance in low-income countries through the three stages of basic model, enhanced model, and nationwide model. We have concluded that community-based health insurance development is a potential strategy to meet the urgent need for health financing in low-income countries. With careful planning and implementation, it is possible to adopt such evolutionary approach to achieve universal coverage by extending tax-based financing/social insurance characteristics to community-based health insurance schemes.
基金supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation[Grant No.OPP1137180]。
文摘Background:The End Tuberculosis(TB)Strategy of the World Health Organization highlights the need for patientcentered care and social protection measures that alleviate the financial hardships faced by many TB patients.In China,TB treatments are paid for by earmarked government funds,social health insurance,medical assistance for the poor,and out-of-pocket payments from patients.As part of Phase III of the China-Gates TB project,this paper introduces multi-source financing ofTB treatment in the three provinces of China and analyzes the challenges of moving towards universal coverage and its implications of multi-sectoral engagement for TB care.Main text:The new financing policies forTB treatment in the three provinces include increased reimbursement forTB outpatient care,linkage ofTB treatment with local poverty alleviation programs,and use of local government funds to cover some costs to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.However,there are several challenges in reducing the financial burdens faced byTB patients.First,medical costs must be contained by reducing the profit-maximizing behaviors of hospitals.Second,treatment forTB and multi-drug resistant TB(MDR-TB)is only available at county hospitals and city or provincial hospitals,respectively,and these hospitals have low reimbursement rates and high co-payments.Third,many patients with TB and MDR-TB are at the edge of poverty,and therefore ineligible for medical assistance,which targets extremely poor individuals.In addition,the local governments of less developed provinces often face fiscal difficulties,making it challenging to use of local government funds to provide financial support for TB patients.We suggest that stakeholders at multiple sectors should engage in transparent and responsive communications,coordinate policy developments,and integrate resources to improve the integration of social protection schemes.Conclusions:The Chinese government is examining the establishment of multi-source financing forTB treatment by mobilization of funds from the government and social protection schemes.These efforts require strengthening the cooperation of multiple sectors and improving the accountability of different government agencies.All key stakeholders must take concrete actions in the near future to assure significant progress toward the goal of alleviating the financial burden faced byTB and MDR-TB patients.
