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Can rural health insurance improve equity in health care utilization? A comparison between China and Vietnam.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Liu, X; Tang, S; Yu, B; Phuong, NK; Yan, F; Thien, DD; Tolhurst, R
Published in: Int J Equity Health
February 29, 2012

INTRODUCTION: Health care financing reforms in both China and Vietnam have resulted in greater financial difficulties in accessing health care, especially for the rural poor. Both countries have been developing rural health insurance for decades. This study aims to evaluate and compare equity in access to health care in rural health insurance system in the two countries. METHODS: Household survey and qualitative study were conducted in 6 counties in China and 4 districts in Vietnam. Health insurance policy and its impact on utilization of outpatient and inpatient service were analyzed and compared to measure equity in access to health care. RESULTS: In China, Health insurance membership had no significant impact on outpatient service utilization, while was associated with higher utilization of inpatient services, especially for the higher income group. Health insurance members in Vietnam had higher utilization rates of both outpatient and inpatient services than the non-members, with higher use among the lower than higher income groups. Qualitative results show that bureaucratic obstacles, low reimbursement rates, and poor service quality were the main barriers for members to use health insurance. CONCLUSIONS: China has achieved high population coverage rate over a short time period, starting with a limited benefit package. However, poor people have less benefit from NCMS in terms of health service utilization. Compared to China, Vietnam health insurance system is doing better in equity in health service utilization within the health insurance members. However with low population coverage, a large proportion of population cannot enjoy the health insurance benefit. Mutual learning would help China and Vietnam address these challenges, and improve their policy design to promote equitable and sustainable health insurance.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Int J Equity Health

DOI

EISSN

1475-9276

Publication Date

February 29, 2012

Volume

11

Start / End Page

10

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Vietnam
  • Social Class
  • Rural Health Services
  • Resource Allocation
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Program Evaluation
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
 

Citation

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Liu, X., Tang, S., Yu, B., Phuong, N. K., Yan, F., Thien, D. D., & Tolhurst, R. (2012). Can rural health insurance improve equity in health care utilization? A comparison between China and Vietnam. Int J Equity Health, 11, 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-11-10
Liu, Xiaoyun, Shenglan Tang, Baorong Yu, Nguyen Khanh Phuong, Fei Yan, Duong Duc Thien, and Rachel Tolhurst. “Can rural health insurance improve equity in health care utilization? A comparison between China and Vietnam.Int J Equity Health 11 (February 29, 2012): 10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-9276-11-10.
Liu X, Tang S, Yu B, Phuong NK, Yan F, Thien DD, et al. Can rural health insurance improve equity in health care utilization? A comparison between China and Vietnam. Int J Equity Health. 2012 Feb 29;11:10.
Liu, Xiaoyun, et al. “Can rural health insurance improve equity in health care utilization? A comparison between China and Vietnam.Int J Equity Health, vol. 11, Feb. 2012, p. 10. Pubmed, doi:10.1186/1475-9276-11-10.
Liu X, Tang S, Yu B, Phuong NK, Yan F, Thien DD, Tolhurst R. Can rural health insurance improve equity in health care utilization? A comparison between China and Vietnam. Int J Equity Health. 2012 Feb 29;11:10.
Journal cover image

Published In

Int J Equity Health

DOI

EISSN

1475-9276

Publication Date

February 29, 2012

Volume

11

Start / End Page

10

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Vietnam
  • Social Class
  • Rural Health Services
  • Resource Allocation
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Qualitative Research
  • Public Health
  • Program Evaluation
  • Middle Aged
  • Male