Bhaswati, Adhikary and Debabrate, Das
Out-of-pocket health expenses in rural settings: An empirical study on financing pattern and determinants in Assam, India - IASSI Quarterly: Contributions to Indian Social Science - 40(1), Jan-Mar, 2021: p.48-67
Due to high out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenses in India, families’ earnings are often not enough to pay for healthcare services. The study aims to highlight how rural households of Assam cope with such high OOP expenses, and how the demographic and treatment pattern influence their financing decisions. The study is based on a survey of 1080 households from three rural districts of Assam. We have used Chi-Square tests, One-way ANOVA, and binary regressions to make conclusive remarks on the matter. The families mostly rely on micro-credits from SHGs/MFIs and borrowing from relatives/friends. The coverage and utilisation rate of health schemes/health insurance policies are not satisfactory. Compared to the households from Darrang district, houses from the other two districts are less likely to spend the savings on healthcare. Families from Morigaon district are more prone to loans from relatives/friends and the selling of assets, while households from Nalbari district highly depend on micro-credits. The backward class households mostly use their assets for medical emergencies but avoid informal channels. The forward category households mostly refuse credit from both formal and informal channels. The borrowing amount increases as ailments turn severe. Financially weaker families are most vulnerable to health shocks. The study identified issues that should be investigated for the complete evaluation of the healthcare financing scenario at the household level as well as from the policymaking perspective. – Reproduced
Healthcare access, Healthcare cost, Household financing strategies, Financial security, Health policy.
Out-of-pocket health expenses in rural settings: An empirical study on financing pattern and determinants in Assam, India - IASSI Quarterly: Contributions to Indian Social Science - 40(1), Jan-Mar, 2021: p.48-67
Due to high out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenses in India, families’ earnings are often not enough to pay for healthcare services. The study aims to highlight how rural households of Assam cope with such high OOP expenses, and how the demographic and treatment pattern influence their financing decisions. The study is based on a survey of 1080 households from three rural districts of Assam. We have used Chi-Square tests, One-way ANOVA, and binary regressions to make conclusive remarks on the matter. The families mostly rely on micro-credits from SHGs/MFIs and borrowing from relatives/friends. The coverage and utilisation rate of health schemes/health insurance policies are not satisfactory. Compared to the households from Darrang district, houses from the other two districts are less likely to spend the savings on healthcare. Families from Morigaon district are more prone to loans from relatives/friends and the selling of assets, while households from Nalbari district highly depend on micro-credits. The backward class households mostly use their assets for medical emergencies but avoid informal channels. The forward category households mostly refuse credit from both formal and informal channels. The borrowing amount increases as ailments turn severe. Financially weaker families are most vulnerable to health shocks. The study identified issues that should be investigated for the complete evaluation of the healthcare financing scenario at the household level as well as from the policymaking perspective. – Reproduced
Healthcare access, Healthcare cost, Household financing strategies, Financial security, Health policy.