Social Exclusion and the Two-Tiered Healthcare System of Brazil

36 Pages Posted: 19 Apr 2011

See all articles by Denisard Alves

Denisard Alves

FEA-USP

Christopher Timmins

Duke University - Department of Economics

Date Written: December 2001

Abstract

In Brazil, there exists a two-tiered system of healthcare access. Those with sufficient means have access to a private system of healthcare that provides quality treatment on demand, while the remainder of the country relies on an overburdened system of public clinics and hospitals. Household survey data are used to determine which socio-demographic groups rely most on this public healthcare system. Current demographic trends suggest that the public healthcare infrastructure will become more and more heavily used in the coming decades. A stylized model of healthcare choice is estimated, and its parameters are used to conduct counterfactual simulations of the welfare implications of this increased congestion, and of policies to offset it, like private healthcare subsidies.

Suggested Citation

Alves, Denisard and Timmins, Christopher D., Social Exclusion and the Two-Tiered Healthcare System of Brazil (December 2001). IDB Working Paper No. 148, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1814695 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1814695

Denisard Alves

FEA-USP ( email )

Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto 908
Sao Paulo SP, 05508-900
Brazil

Christopher D. Timmins

Duke University - Department of Economics ( email )

213 Social Sciences Building
Box 90097
Durham, NC 27708-0204
United States
919-660-1809 (Phone)
919-684-8974 (Fax)

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