An assessment of fiscal space for public health in Peru

作者：Matus Lopez Mauricio; Prieto Toledo Lorena; Pedraza Camilo Cid

来源：Pan American Journal of Public Health, 2016, 40(1): 64-69.

• Healthcare financing
• financial policy
• universal coverage
• health care rationing
• Peru
• Latin America

Objective. To assess the fiscal space for public health in Peru so as to attain the goal of raising health spending to 6% of gross domestic product, as agreed upon by member countries of the Pan American Health Organization in 2014.
Methods. The main sources of fiscal space were identified by means of a thorough literature review. Technical feasibility was determined from statistics and national and international surveys and by reviewing various documents and official reports. Political feasibility was ascertained by studying policy guidelines.
Results. The sources showing the greatest technical and political feasibility are economic growth, a broadening of the personal income tax base, and an increase in tobacco-specific taxes. Decreasing informality in the job market and increasing contributory coverage are considered to be less politically feasible, but there is ample technical space for these measures.
Conclusions. There is enough fiscal space to allow for an increase in public health spending. Nevertheless, the 6% target will be reached only if the timeline is extended, tax revenues are increased, and informality in the job market is reduced.

• 出版日期2016-8