We investigate the dynamic general equilibrium effects of introducing a social assistance program to elderly informal sector workers in developing countries. We find that the extension of such “retirement benefits” in environments with lacking private sector risksharing mechanisms results in welfare increases and relatively minor efficiency losses. Our results suggest that welfare gains attribu...

CONTEXT Doctors have been known to treat or give consultation to patients informally, with none of the usual record keeping or follow up. They may wish to know whether this practice is ethical. OBJECTIVE To determine whether this practice meets criteria of medical ethics. DESIGN Informal medicine is analysed according to standard ethical principles: autonomy, beneficence and non-maleficence...

INTRODUCTION Financial access to promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative healthcare by every one remains a challenge globally. The requirement to make direct payments at the time of consuming health services is one of the reasons why it persists. In this paper, we present findings on the financial risks households bear as a result of healthcare consumption in one district in Uganda. ...

CONTEXT Payers, policy makers, and professional organizations have launched a variety of initiatives aimed at improving hospital quality with inpatient surgery. Despite their obvious benefits for patients, the likely impact of these efforts on health care costs is uncertain. In this context, we examined relationships between hospital outcomes and expenditures in the US Medicare population. ME...

BACKGROUND End-of-life care is a complex service. The education of health care providers, patients nearing end of life, and informal caregivers plays a vital role in increasing knowledge about the care options available. This review looks at whether education helps improve outcomes for patients nearing the end of life and for their informal caregivers. OBJECTIVES To systematically review and ...

OBJECTIVE Up to 50% of pregnancies are unintended in the United States, and the healthcare costs associated with pregnancy are the most expensive among hospitalized conditions. The current study aims to assess Medicaid spending on various methods of contraception and on pregnancy care including unintended pregnancies. METHODS We analyzed Medicaid health claims data from 2004 to 2010. Women 14...

OBJECTIVES To determine reimbursement rates after initiation of charges for certain telephone calls in a pediatric diabetes care center. DESIGN A review of charges and payments data during 1996. RESULTS Four hundred seventy-two telephone calls initiated by patients and parents were billed during the study period. These calls regarded treatment of hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, ketonuria, sick...