Is it worth to pay health insurance? - Economicus

by. Arlinda YMERAJ, (Assoc. Prof. Dr.)

Abstract

This paper addresses the efficiency of the health care system in Albania vis-à-vis citizens’ social solidarity demonstrated through financial contributions to respond to the dilemma of Health Care reform in Albania, namely “financing the right mix of public-private provision of health care through more public funds, ensured either by the state or by the society-contribution”. The evidence-based analysis of budgets allocated to health care system is used to formulate findings regarding “health care system efficiency” and draw conclusions vis-à-vis the relevance of social solidarity. There is a belief that “social solidarity” should raise awareness about people’s right and boost investments into health care services. However, the evidence argues that such a belief is not justified. The public health care services do not provide equality neither of utilization nor of access in a time when private provision does not offer a solution to the problem. Therefore, the burden is returned on Public Health Care policies which should make the effective use of “social solidarity” and guarantee that it pays off for the best of citizens. The paper is composed of four sections. Section 1 provides rationale for discussion focused at “Social Solidarity” as the key argument. Section 2 explain methods of research. Section 3 provides an overview of health care system in Albania, addressing some critical concerns that deny the right to health care for certain groups of society. Section 4 advances arguments regarding the way in which “social solidarity” is misused in Albania, leading us to key findings, whilst the last section formulates some conclusions, responding to the addressed questions as well as tackling the role of civic and social education of citizens in addition to law enforcement to guarantee that social solidarity pays off.

How to cite: Ymeraj, A. (2021). Is it worth to pay health insurance? Economicus, 20(2), 20–40.

https://doi.org/10.58944/khrf1900