Data on Health Insurance Described by R. Yassoub et al (The Path Toward Universal Health Coverage)

By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Managed Care Weekly Digest -- Investigators publish new report on Health Insurance. According to news reporting originating from Doha, Qatar, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, "Lebanon is a middle-income country with a market-maximized healthcare system that provides limited social protection for its citizens. Estimates reveal that half of the population lacks sufficient health coverage and resorts to out-of-pocket payments."

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research, "This study triangulated data from a comprehensive review of health packages of countries similar to Lebanon, the Ministry of Public Health statistics, and services suggested by the World Health Organization for inclusion in a health benefits package (HBP). To determine the acceptability and viability of implementing the HBP, a stakeholder analysis was conducted to identify the knowledge, positions, and available resources for the package. The results revealed that the private health sector, having the most resources, is least in favor of implementing the package, whereas the political and civil society sectors support implementation. The main divergence in opinions among stakeholders was on the abolishment of out-of-pocket payments, mainly attributed to the potential abuse of the HBP's services by users. The study's findings encourage health decision makers to capitalize on the current political readiness by proposing the HBP for implementation in the path toward universal health coverage."

According to the news editors, the research concluded: "This requires a consultative process, involving all stakeholders, in devising the strategy and implementation framework of a HBP."

For more information on this research see: The Path Toward Universal Health Coverage. International Journal of Health Services, 2016;47(2):352-373 (see also Health Insurance).

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting R. Yassoub, 1 Research Department, FIKRA Research and Policy, Doha, Qatar. Additional authors for this research include M. Alameddine and S. Saleh.

Keywords for this news article include: Doha, Asia, Qatar, Health Insurance.

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