Impact of Health Financing Policies on Household Spending: Evidence from Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys 2004 and 2009

Chhim Chhun, Tong Kimsun, Ge Yu, Timothy Ensor and Barbara McPake. 2015. Impact of Health Financing Policies on Household Spending: Evidence from Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys 2004 and 2009. CDRI Working Paper Series No. 106. Phnom Penh: CDRI.

This report presents the findings and recommendations from part of ReBUILD’s quantitative health financing research in Cambodia, in which the 2004 and 2009 Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys are used to measure the impact of user fees, health equity funds, the government health subsidy scheme, vouchers and various combinations of these policies on household health spending.

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Abstract:

We use the 2004 and 2009 Cambodia Socio-Economic Surveys to measure the impact of user fees, health equity funds, the government health subsidy scheme, vouchers and various combinations of these policies on household health spending. Employing a difference-indifferences estimator and a two part model, we find that health equity funds and vouchers help to reduce household health spending whereas user fees and the government health subsidy scheme are unlikely to reduce household health spending as was originally designed. Continuation and expansion of health equity funds and voucher schemes is definitely crucial for Cambodia. The results also highlight the need for further policy-relevant research to improve the effectiveness of user fees and the government health subsidy scheme.