Publication:
Financing Health Care : Singapore’s Innovative Approach

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dc.contributor.authorTaylor, Rob
dc.contributor.authorBlair, Simon
dc.date.accessioned2012-08-13T14:41:37Z
dc.date.available2012-08-13T14:41:37Z
dc.date.issued2003-05
dc.description.abstractHealth care costs are escalating rapidly in many countries. While many factors contribute to rising costs, health insurance plays a part by shielding patients and physicians from the real cost. In an effort to contain costs, governments, employers, and insurers have modified payment schemes and coverage, often leading to rationing and restricted consumer choice and in some cases to denial of care. Singapore is unique among developed countries in achieving excellent health outcomes at a low economic cost. Part of its success may be attributable to its health financing system, which combines individual responsibility with targeted subsidies. Despite Singapore's small size, with only 3.2 million residents in a land area of 660 square kilometers, the country has been a stellar economic performer, rising from impoverishment only 40 years ago. Its per capita GDP, US$427 in 1960, rose to US$24,740 in 2000, one of the highest in the world. Singapore's health indicators are equally impressive. Its average life expectancy increased by 15 years from 1960 (63 years) to 2001 (78) and is now one of the world's longest. Its infant mortality rate is the world's lowest, at 2.2 per 1,000 live births, much improved from 6.6 in 1990 (and 34.9 in 1960) and far lower than rates in most other countries. Both the public and the private sector provide health care in Singapore. The public sector provides 20 percent of primary care and 80 percent of hospital care through two integrated care networks. The private sector dominates primary health care, providing 80 percent through its 1,900 clinics. The 13 private hospitals account for 20 percent of inpatient admissions. Singapore has 11,800 hospital beds (3.7 per 1,000 people).en
dc.identifierhttp://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/05/2459734/financing-health-care
dc.identifier.citationViewpoint. -- Note no. 261 (May 2003)
dc.identifier.doi10.1596/11299
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10986/11299
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherWorld Bank, Washington, DC
dc.relation.ispartofseriesViewpoint
dc.rightsCC BY 3.0 IGO
dc.rights.holderWorld Bank
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/igo/
dc.subjectHEALTH CARE FINANCE
dc.subjectHEALTH CARE COSTS
dc.subjectSUBSIDIES
dc.subjectPRIMARY CARE
dc.subjectHOSPITALS
dc.subjectHEALTH CLINICS
dc.subjectHEALTH INSURANCE APPLICATIONS
dc.subjectCHEMOTHERAPY
dc.subjectCLINICS
dc.subjectCONSUMERS
dc.subjectCOVERAGE
dc.subjectEXCHANGE RATES
dc.subjectHEALTH CARE
dc.subjectHEALTH CARE COSTS
dc.subjectHEALTH FINANCING
dc.subjectHEALTH INDICATORS
dc.subjectHEALTH INSURANCE
dc.subjectHEALTH NEEDS
dc.subjectHEALTH OUTCOMES
dc.subjectHEALTH SPENDING
dc.subjectHEALTH SYSTEM
dc.subjectHEALTH SYSTEMS
dc.subjectHOSPITAL BEDS
dc.subjectHOSPITAL CARE
dc.subjectHOSPITALIZATION
dc.subjectINCOME
dc.subjectINDEMNITY
dc.subjectINFANT MORTALITY
dc.subjectINFANT MORTALITY RATE
dc.subjectINSURANCE COVERAGE
dc.subjectINSURANCE POOLS
dc.subjectINSURERS
dc.subjectMANAGED CARE
dc.subjectMARKET FAILURES
dc.subjectMEDICAL CARE
dc.subjectMEDICAL COSTS
dc.subjectMEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS
dc.subjectMEDICAL SERVICES
dc.subjectNURSING
dc.subjectNURSING HOMES
dc.subjectPATIENTS
dc.subjectPHYSICIANS
dc.subjectPOLICYHOLDERS
dc.subjectPREMIUMS
dc.subjectPRIMARY CARE
dc.subjectPRIVATE INSURANCE
dc.subjectPRIVATE SECTOR
dc.subjectPROGRAMS
dc.subjectPUBLIC HOSPITALS
dc.subjectPUBLIC SECTOR
dc.subjectRADIOTHERAPY
dc.subjectRATES
dc.subjectSAVINGS
dc.subjectSOLVENCY
dc.subjectSURGERY
dc.subjectSUSTAINABILITY
dc.subjectTAX
dc.subjectTAX INCENTIVES
dc.subjectTAX REVENUE
dc.titleFinancing Health Care : Singapore’s Innovative Approachen
dspace.entity.typePublication
okr.date.doiregistration2025-04-29T10:19:05.445998Z
okr.doctypePublications & Research::Viewpoint
okr.doctypePublications & Research
okr.docurlhttp://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2003/05/2459734/financing-health-care
okr.globalpracticeFinance and Markets
okr.globalpracticeGovernance
okr.globalpracticeHealth, Nutrition, and Population
okr.guid670251468763766358
okr.identifier.externaldocumentum000090341_20030728113711
okr.identifier.internaldocumentum2459734
okr.identifier.report26405
okr.language.supporteden
okr.pdfurlhttp://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2003/07/28/000090341_20030728113711/Rendered/PDF/264050PAPER0Vp0no10261.pdfen
okr.region.administrativeEast Asia and Pacific
okr.region.countrySingapore
okr.sectorHealth and other social services :: Other social services
okr.topicPublic Sector Economics
okr.topicInsurance and Risk Mitigation
okr.topicHealth Economics and Finance
okr.topicHealth Systems Development and Reform
okr.topicHealth Monitoring and Evaluation
okr.topicFinance and Financial Sector Development
okr.topicHealth, Nutrition and Population
okr.topicPublic Sector Development
okr.unitKM & Outreach - WB (FPDKM)
okr.volume1 of 1
relation.isSeriesOfPublication1067ecbf-b217-4376-a77e-64594be2b212
relation.isSeriesOfPublication.latestForDiscovery1067ecbf-b217-4376-a77e-64594be2b212
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