Analyzing Changes in Health Financing Arrangements in High-Income Countries : A Comprehensive Framework Approach

Abstract

This review is one in a series of analytic efforts designed to inform the policy debate related to health financing. The authors review evidence on health financing arrangements in high income countries as well as reforms over the last 30 years and to identify key policy lessons from this experience for low and middle income countries. Methodology: The review is based on a conceptual framework of health financing "functions". 25 high-income countries have been grouped for comparative evaluative purposes into three groups, based on the main mechanism of financing health care (social health insurance, taxes, private). Decisions on coverage and benefit entitlements as well as various functions of health care financing (i.e. collecting, pooling and purchasing) are described and analyzed.