Social Health Insurance vs. Tax-Financed Health Systems - Evidence from the OECD

39 Pages Posted: 20 Apr 2016

See all articles by Adam Wagstaff

Adam Wagstaff

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

Date Written: January 1, 2009

Abstract

This paper exploits the transitions between tax-financed health care and social health insurance in the OECD countries over the period 1960-2006 to assess the effects of adopting social health insurance over tax finance on per capita health spending, amenable mortality, and labor market outcomes. The paper uses regression-based generalizations of difference-in-differences and instrumental variables to address the possible endogeneity of a country's health system. It finds that adopting social health insurance in preference to tax financing increases per capita health spending by 3-4 percent, reduces the formal sector share of employment by 8-10 percent, and reduces total employment by as much as 6 percent. For the most part, social health insurance adoption has no significant impact on amenable mortality, but for one cause-breast cancer among women-social health insurance systems perform significantly worse, with 5-6 percent more potential years of life lost.

Keywords: Health Monitoring & Evaluation, Health Systems Development & Reform, Health Economics & Finance

Suggested Citation

Wagstaff, Adam, Social Health Insurance vs. Tax-Financed Health Systems - Evidence from the OECD (January 1, 2009). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 4821, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1331880

Adam Wagstaff (Contact Author)

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG) ( email )

1818 H. Street, N.W.
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Washington, DC 20433
United States

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/awagstaff

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