Dynamics of health insurance ownership in Vietnam
2004 - 2006
JournalJournal of the Asia Pacific Economy
AuthorsHa Nguyen, Suiwah Leung
PublishedJune 2013
PublisherTaylor & Francis Online
DOI10.1080/13547860.2013.803842
ISSN1354-7860 (Print) 1469-9648 (Online)
Number of Pages22
Vietnam is undertaking health financing reform in an attempt to achieve universal health insurance coverage by 2014. Changes in health insurance policies doubled coverage between 2004 and 2006, yet about one-fifth of the insured in 2004 dropped out of the health insurance system by 2006. Using longitudinal data from VHLSS 2004 and 2006, this paper models static and dynamic health insurance choices and highlights the importance of income and education in determining the movement in or out of a particular scheme. The models show significant adverse selection where individuals with poor health are more likely to be insured.
The Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre team acknowledges the Wadjuk Nyungar people as the traditional owners of the land on which the Centre is situated.