Abstract
BackgroundSeveral stakeholders have undertaken initiatives to propose solutions towards a more sustainable health system and Spain, as an example of a European country affected by austerity measures, is looking for ways to cut healthcare budgets.MethodsThe aim of this paper is to study the effect of private health insurance on health care utilization using the latest micro-data from the European Community Household Panel (ECHP), the Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS) and the European Union Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC). We use matching techniques based on propensity score methods: single match, four matches, bias-adjustment and allowing for heteroskedasticity.ResultsThe results demonstrate that people with a private health insurance, use the public health system less than individuals without double health insurance coverage.ConclusionsOur conclusions are useful when policy makers design public-private partnership policies.
Highlights
Several stakeholders have undertaken initiatives to propose solutions towards a more sustainable health system and Spain, as an example of a European country affected by austerity measures, is looking for ways to cut healthcare budgets
The aim of this paper is to study the effect of private health insurance on health care utilization in Spain using the latest micro-data from the European Community
We focus on those characteristics which could explain an individual having private health insurance [8]
Summary
Several stakeholders have undertaken initiatives to propose solutions towards a more sustainable health system and Spain, as an example of a European country affected by austerity measures, is looking for ways to cut healthcare budgets. It is important to point out that the process of devolution of health services available to the Autonomous Communities that had begun in 1981, concluded in 2001 (for further information of the Spanish National Health System, see the formal description made by the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs [1]). Health care systems in European countries differ in the source of financing, coverage and means of delivering benefits, but they are mainly financed through taxation or contributions from employers and employees. This fact justifies the differences between public and private health expenditure
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
