New Data from University of Cape Town Illuminate Findings in Information Technology (The Incidence of Health Financing In South Africa: Findings From a Recent Data Set)

2019 FEB 28 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Insurance Daily News -- Investigators discuss new findings in Information Technology. According to news reporting originating from Cape Town, South Africa, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “There is an international call for countries to ensure universal health coverage. This call has been embraced in South Africa (SA) in the form of a National Health Insurance (NHI).”

Financial supporters for this research include European Commission, IDRC, South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, National Research Foundation, Claude Leon Foundation.

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from the University of Cape Town, “This is expected to be financed through general tax revenue with the possibility of additional earmarked taxes including a surcharge on personal income and/or a payroll tax for employers. Currently, health services are financed in SA through allocations from general tax revenue, direct out-of-pocket payments, and contributions to medical scheme. This paper uses the most recent data set to assess the progressivity of each health financing mechanism and overall financing system in SA. Applying standard and innovative methodologies for assessing progressivity, the study finds that general taxes and medical scheme contributions remain progressive, and direct out-of-pocket payments and indirect taxes are regressive. However, private health insurance contributions, across only the insured, are regressive.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “The policy implications of these findings are discussed in the context of the NHI.”

For more information on this research see: The Incidence of Health Financing In South Africa: Findings From a Recent Data Set. Health Economics Policy and Law, 2018;13(1):68-91. Health Economics Policy and Law can be contacted at: Cambridge Univ Press, Edinburgh Bldg, Shaftesbury Rd, CB2 8RU Cambridge, England.

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting J.E. Ataguba, University of Cape Town, Sch Public Hlth & Family Med, Hlth Econ Unit, Za-7925 Cape Town, South Africa.

The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1744133117000196. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.

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