Reviewing the evidence on health financing strategies to encourage uptake of health services by the poor

Abstract

A systematic literature review is summarized that was carried out during 2005-2006 with the aim of synthesizing evidence on the effectiveness of four approaches to encouraging the uptake of health care by poorer groups in low and middle income countries. These approaches are (1) Introduction/removal of user fees, (2) Risk protection mechanisms, (3) Contracting out service provision to non state providers, and (4) Conditional cash transfers