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Universal Health Care 101: Lessons for the Eastern Caribbean and Beyond

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  • Ms. Evridiki Tsounta

Abstract

Despite the increasing interest in universal health care, little is known about the optimal way to finance, design, and implement it. This paper attempts to fill this gap by providing some general policy recommendations on this important issue. While most of the paper addresses the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) countries, its policy implications are applicable to any country. The paper finds that the best financing option is country-specific depending on a country’s economic, cultural, institutional, demographic and epidemiological characteristics, as well as political economy considerations. However, taxation should be the primary financing source. It also concludes that an appropriate and realistic benefit package would need to be designed to ensure the system’s financial viability. Regarding the optimal way to implement universal health care, certain preconditions are needed, including sound public administration, a small informal economy, and a transparent health financing system that builds social consensus.

Suggested Citation

  • Ms. Evridiki Tsounta, 2009. "Universal Health Care 101: Lessons for the Eastern Caribbean and Beyond," IMF Working Papers 2009/061, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2009/061
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    Cited by:

    1. Moonie, Sinovia & Quashie, Nekehia, 2011. "Social health protection for the elderly in the English-speaking Caribbean," Studies and Perspectives – ECLAC Subregional Headquarters for The Caribbean 5052, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    2. Sergeant, Kelvin A. & Lugay, Beverly & Dookie, Michele & Alleyne, Dillon & Hendrickson, Michael & Seuleiman, Océane, 2011. "Review of selected areas of research on the Caribbean subregion in the 2000s: identifying the main gaps," Documentos de Proyectos 4089, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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