Promoting universal financial protection : a policy analysis of universal health coverage in Costa Rica (1940–2000)

Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

BioMed Central

Abstract

Universal health coverage (UHC) has been achieved in Costa Rica because it was supported at the highest political level within a favourable socio-economic and political context. Once achieved, UHC became an entitlement for the population and now enjoys broad public support. This paper explores the implementation and sustenance of universal health coverage (UHC) in Costa Rica. “The [Health Ministry’s] Rural Health program was the revolution (1990’s)… A nurse and a technical assistant were the key players. That is when the revolution started: control of parasites, nutrition, latrines, water pumps, vaccinations, and a lot of health education, basic sanitation and malaria control measures.”

Description

Keywords

HEALTH POLICY, SOCIAL PROTECTION, UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE, COSTA RICA, SOCIAL SECURITY, SOCIAL WELFARE, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, HEALTHCARE REFORM, DEMOCRATIZATION, HEALTH INSURANCE, GOVERNMENT POLICY, PUBLIC HEALTH

Citation

Vargas, J.R., & Muiser, J. (2013). Promoting universal financial protection: a policy analysis of universal health coverage in Costa Rica (1940–2000). Vargas and Muiser Health Research Policy and Systems, 11(28). doi:10.1186/1478-4505-11-28

DOI