The Impact of Social Health Insurance in the Philippines 1972-2007

Abstract

The Philippines initiated a national Medicare programme in 1972, which targeted only the employed sector. In 1995, there was a shift to the National Health Insurance Programme, as part of a major drive to achieve universal coverage. This paper discusses the impact of social health insurance since 1972 on the health system in the Philippines. Trends are examined in terms of the inputs (health facilities, human resources, funding) to the health system, activity (utilisation of health services, service quality) and outcomes. Particular attention is given to the incentives created by the health insurance scheme and their impact in terms of alignment with health policy goals, and the extent to which health insurance provides financial protection to its members. Data is drawn from a wide range of sources, including internal databases of Medicare and from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, as well as secondary analysis based on survey data.

Keywords: Philippines, health insurance

JEL Classification: I12