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Ghana's national health insurance scheme in the context of the health MDGs: an empirical evaluation using propensity score matching

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  • Joseph Mensah
  • Joseph R. Oppong
  • Christoph M. Schmidt

Abstract

In 2003 the Government of Ghana established a National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve health‐care access for Ghanaians and eventually replace the cash‐and‐carry system. This study evaluates an important aspect of its promise in the context of the Millennium Development Goals ♯4 and ♯5 which deal with the health of women and children. We use Propensity Score Matching techniques to balance the relevant background characteristics in our survey data and compare health indicators of recent mothers who are enrolled in the NHIS with those who are not. Our findings suggest that NHIS women are more likely to receive prenatal care, deliver at a hospital, have their deliveries attended by trained health professionals, and experience less birth complications. We conclude that NHIS is an effective tool for improving health outcomes among those who are covered, which should encourage the Ghanaian government to promote further enrolment, in particular among the poor. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Joseph Mensah & Joseph R. Oppong & Christoph M. Schmidt, 2010. "Ghana's national health insurance scheme in the context of the health MDGs: an empirical evaluation using propensity score matching," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 19(S1), pages 95-106, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:19:y:2010:i:s1:p:95-106
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.1633
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christoph Schmidt, 2007. "Policy evaluation and economic policy advice," AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis, Springer;German Statistical Society, vol. 91(4), pages 379-389, December.
    2. James J. Heckman & Hidehiko Ichimura & Petra E. Todd, 1997. "Matching As An Econometric Evaluation Estimator: Evidence from Evaluating a Job Training Programme," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 64(4), pages 605-654.
    3. Michael Gerfin & Michael Lechner, 2002. "A Microeconometric Evaluation of the Active Labour Market Policy in Switzerland," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 112(482), pages 854-893, October.
    4. Shelley White-Means & Joni Hersch, 2005. "Health Insurance Disparities in Traditional and Contingent/Alternative Employment," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 5(4), pages 351-368, December.
    5. James J. Heckman & Hidehiko Ichimura & Petra Todd, 1998. "Matching As An Econometric Evaluation Estimator," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 65(2), pages 261-294.
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models

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