Impact of Health Financing Policies on Household Spending: Evidence from Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys 2004 and 2009
Abstract/Summary
We use the 2004 and 2009 Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys to measure the impact of user fees, health equity funds, the government health subsidy scheme, vouchers and various combinations of these policies on household health spending. Employing a difference-indifferences estimator and a two-part model, we find that health equity funds and vouchers help to reduce household health spending whereas user fees and the government health subsidy scheme are unlikely to reduce household health spending as was originally designed. Continuation and expansion of health equity funds and voucher schemes is definitely crucial for Cambodia. The results also highlight the need for further policy-relevant research to improve the effectiveness of user fees and the government health subsidy scheme. Key words: household health expenditure, user fees, health equity funds, difference-indifferences, two-part model.