Critical policy choices and issues related to Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
As COVID situation gradually improving globally so we we can focus now for health system reform for achieve the goal Universal Health Coverage by 2030! There are some evidence around some of the critical policy choices and issues related to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and addresses:
• What to cover: The choices and trade-offs policymakers need to make between the dimensions of population coverage, service coverage and financial protection.
• How to pay for UHC: Raising the necessary resources, then allocating and managing these resources efficiently and equitably.
How to implement UHC: The issues that need to be addressed to implement UHC reforms successfully. In many instances, specific policy recommendations in these areas will be highly dependent on the context of the country concerned. In particular, the health needs of the population, the level of economic development and the country’s political environment should be major factors shaping policy responses. Designing and implementing a UHC strategy should therefore not be seen as a one-size-fits-all process. However, in reviewing the research evidence and drawing on the experiences of the WISH forum of experts who advised on this paper, we have identified some strategic issues where a consensus is emerging on approaches that are more likely to be effective. Our key policy recommendations include:
• Countries should give a high priority to achieving full population coverage of an affordable package of services, rather than covering selected population groups with more generous packages of services and leaving some people relatively uncovered.
• UHC can only be achieved through publicly governed, mandatory financing mechanisms (general taxation and social health insurance contributions) that compel wealthier and healthier members of society to subsidize the poor and the vulnerable. Financing systems dominated by private voluntary financing (user fees and private voluntary insurance) will never achieve UHC.
• The transition towards UHC, in redistributing health benefits and financial bur dens, is a highly political process that is likely to face opposition from powerful interest groups. Sustained political commitment from the highest level of government, including the head of state, is therefore essential in implementing successful UHC reforms.
To be continue———–