MEASUREMENT OF THE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION IN THE HEALTH INSURANCE SYSTEM: CROSS-COUNTRY COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

The important goal of economic development is to strengthen social protection in modern times. One of the main components of social protection is the provision of health care of the population. World experience shows that health insurance (especially compulsory) plays an important role in the protection of the health care of the population. Thus, in countries with a high level of health insurance, the health of the population is more reliably protected, and there is an opportunity to expand the scope of treatment and prevention. The development of the health system, including health insurance, depends on the level of government intervention in this field. The research shows that the more government interferes in the health system, the better health care for the population. So far, the need for government intervention in the health insurance system has been the subject of research by various scientists, but no research has been conducted to measure the level of intervention. Is it possible to measure the level of government intervention in the health insurance system? The authors have tried to create a methodology that allows for measuring the level of government intervention in the health insurance system. This methodology is called the Index of Intervention of Health Insurance System (IIHIS). By calculating IIHIS, the authors determine the government intervention level in Health Insurance System. Measurement of the level of government intervention in the Health Insurance System allows for evaluating the social consequences of the implemented reforms. IIHIS has been calculated on the basis of 4 indicators – Coverage of compulsory health insurance, Coverage of private health insurance, Health insurance tariffs, and Value-Added Tax (VAT) on medications. At the initial stage, IIHIS has been calculated for 31 countries. Among 31 countries, there are developed, emerging, and post-socialist countries. According to IIHIS, the most dirigist (leftness) countries are Slovenia, and Israel. According to the IIHIS, the most liberal (rightness) countries are Azerbaijan, USA. The authors want to measure the level of government intervention in the health insurance system and to determine the position of Azerbaijan health insurance system. The authors have performed correlation, analytical-statistical, and cross-country analyses. The level of government intervention in the health insurance system has been measured in 31 countries.