Which UHC? Features for Equity and Universalism; Comment on "Universal Health Coverage for Non-Communicable Diseases and Health Equity: Lessons From Australian Primary Healthcare"

• Váldodahkki: Rene Loewenson (Dahkki)
• Materiálatiipa: Girji
• Almmustuhtton: Kerman University of Medical Sciences, 2022-05-01T00:00:00Z.
• Fáttát: article
• Liŋkkat: Connect to this object online.
• Notes: 2322-5939; 10.34172/ijhpm.2021.89
• Keywords: heath policy; health systems; primary healthcare; health equity; universal health coverage; Public aspects of medicine; RA1-1270
• Source: International Journal of Health Policy and Management, Vol 11, Iss 5, Pp 704-707 (2022)

Equity and universality are implicit in universal health coverage (UHC), although ambiguity has led to differing interpretations and policy emphases that limit their achievement. Diverse country experiences indicate a policy focus on differences in service availability and costs of care, and neoliberal policies that have focused UHC on segmented financing and disease- focused benefit packages, ignoring evidence on financing, service, rights-based and social features that enable equity, continuity of care and improved population health. Public policies that do not confront these neoliberal pressures limit equity-promoting features in UHC. In raising the impetus for UHC and widening public awareness of the need for public health systems, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents an opportunity for challenging market driven approaches to UHC, but also a need to make clear the features that are essential for ensuring equity in the progression towards universal health systems.