Adaptive Health Financing: Budgetary and Health System Responses to Combat COVID-19

Abstract

Health financing policies are an essential element of health system responses to COVID-19. Sound policies help ensure there are sufficient resources to combat COVID-19, that the resources are disbursed rapidly, and that resources are spent in an effective manner. The effective implementation of such policies depends on budget and health officials working together closely to bring about co-ordinated actions. This policy brief analyses how OECD member countries have adapted health financing policies to combat COVID-19, and how such policies may need to continue to adapt as the pandemic evolves. It reviews how countries have provided additional budgetary resources to the health sector to combat COVID-19. It also maps out the key areas of joint action by budget and health officials to plan, implement and review the necessary health financing measures needed to combat COVID-19.