Health policy
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Comparative Study
Health insurance markets and income inequality: findings from an international health policy survey.
To assess disparities in access to health care, financial burden of medical bills and perceived quality of care between those with above average incomes and those with below average incomes in five nations and to examine the relationship inequities in care experiences to health insurance coverage. ⋯ The analysis finds striking differences among countries in the relative equity of health care experiences. In general, care experiences are more unequal in three countries such as the US, Australia and New Zealand where systems have relatively greater reliance on private health insurance and markets. Greater inequality in care experiences is also associated with more divided public opinion regarding the need for system reform and the direction of recent policy changes. In Canada and Britain where care experiences are more equal of the health system are similar across income groups. Reliance on private insurance and patient user fees appears to lead to more divided views of the overall health system as well as inequity in access to care.