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Making fair choices on the path to universal health coverage: a précis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 February 2015

Alex Voorhoeve ,
Trygve Ottersen  and
Ole F. Norheim
Alex Voorhoeve*
Affiliation:
Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, UK
Trygve Ottersen
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
Ole F. Norheim
Affiliation:
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway
*
*Correspondence to: Alex Voorhoeve, Philosophy, Logic, and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, UK. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

We outline key conclusions of the World Health Organisation's report 'Making Fair Choices on the Path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC)'. The Report argues that three principles should inform choices on the path to UHC: I. Coverage should be based on need, with extra weight given to the needs of the worse off; II. One aim should be to generate the greatest total improvement in health; III. Contributions should be based on ability to pay and not need. We describe how these principles determine which trade-offs are (un)acceptable. We also discuss which institutions contribute to fair and accountable choices.

Type
Special Section
Information
Health Economics, Policy and Law , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 71 - 77
Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2015 

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