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

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  • Cavagnero, Eleonora
  • Bilger, Marcel

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Cavagnero, Eleonora & Bilger, Marcel, 2010. "Equity during an economic crisis: Financing of the Argentine health system," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 479-488, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jhecon:v:29:y:2010:i:4:p:479-488
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    Cited by:

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    2. Ariel Abeldaño, Roberto & Mariano González, Leandro, 2016. "Cobertura de seguro de salud en Argentina entre los años 2001 y 2014: lectura de los avances y cuestiones pendientes," Revista Latinoamericana de Desarrollo Economico, Carrera de Economía de la Universidad Católica Boliviana (UCB) "San Pablo", issue 26, pages 99-114, November.
    3. Mohammad Hajizadeh & Luke Brian Connelly & James Robert Gerard Butler, 2014. "Health Policy and Equity of Health Care Financing in Australia: 1973–2010," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 60(2), pages 298-322, June.
    4. Mulenga, Arnold & Ataguba, John Ele-Ojo, 2017. "Assessing income redistributive effect of health financing in Zambia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 189(C), pages 1-10.
    5. Juan Antonio Córdoba-Doña & Antonio Escolar-Pujolar & Miguel San Sebastián & Per E Gustafsson, 2018. "Withstanding austerity: Equity in health services utilisation in the first stage of the economic recession in Southern Spain," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, March.
    6. Víctor Giménez & Jorge R. Keith & Diego Prior, 2019. "Do healthcare financing systems influence hospital efficiency? A metafrontier approach for the case of Mexico," Health Care Management Science, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 549-559, September.
    7. Silvia PALASCA & Sebastian ENEA, 2014. "The Aftermath Of The Economic Crisis: Healthcare Systems’ Inequalities In Europe," CES Working Papers, Centre for European Studies, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, vol. 6(4), pages 75-91, December.
    8. John E. Ataguba, 2021. "The Impact of Financing Health Services on Income Inequality in an Unequal Society: The Case of South Africa," Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 721-733, September.

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