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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development-professionals-network/2013/mar/25/global-health-universal-financing-debate
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| Universal healthcare: how are we going to afford it? | Universal healthcare: how are we going to afford it? |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| Universal health coverage has never been higher up the policy agenda. At a recent ministerial meeting organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank, WHO director general Margaret Chan said that "universal health coverage is the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer". | Universal health coverage has never been higher up the policy agenda. At a recent ministerial meeting organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank, WHO director general Margaret Chan said that "universal health coverage is the single most powerful concept that public health has to offer". |
| At the end of 2012, the United Nations adopted a new resolution urging all countries to launch affordable systems that cover all citizens. "We can hold member states to account because of the resolution", Oxfam health policy adviser Ceri Averill said. | At the end of 2012, the United Nations adopted a new resolution urging all countries to launch affordable systems that cover all citizens. "We can hold member states to account because of the resolution", Oxfam health policy adviser Ceri Averill said. |
| While support for universal access to healthcare is increasingly widespread, how to fund it remains hotly debated, with taxation, user fees and insurance being the conventional options. Today though, innovative financing models are gaining traction, with emerging financial instruments such as the International Finance Facility for Immunisation , advanced market commitments and other models of results-based financing for health offering promising alternatives to traditional ineffective funding options. | |
| So, which way forward? Is innovative financing the answer or do user fees still have a place in promoting global healthcare coverage? How does the wider development context (such as stagnant or shrinking aid budgets, a burgeoning global population or the rise of the poor in middle income countries) influence decision-making in this policy area? | |
| To consider these and other approaches to financing universal health coverage, join our live chat panel on Thursday, 28 March at 1pm GMT. | To consider these and other approaches to financing universal health coverage, join our live chat panel on Thursday, 28 March at 1pm GMT. |
| The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). If you would like to join our panel, or submit your views ahead of the chat, please email globaldevpros@guardian.co.uk. Follow our tweets using the hashtag #globaldevlive | The live chat is not video or audio-enabled but will take place in the comments section (below). If you would like to join our panel, or submit your views ahead of the chat, please email globaldevpros@guardian.co.uk. Follow our tweets using the hashtag #globaldevlive |