Publication: La desigualdad en el acceso a las prestaciones sanitarias. Propuestas para lograr la equidad
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2016
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Abstract
El artículo pone de manifiesto la presencia de desigualdades en el acceso a las prestaciones sanitarias, que pueden calificarse de indeseables y evitables. Entre ellas, las relacionadas con la cobertura de necesidades, la dificultad para completar tratamientos médicos como consecuencia de dificultades económicas, o las desigualdades en los tiempos de espera y en el uso de servicios a igual necesidad. Una parte importante de las desigualdades parece haberse incrementado como consecuencia de las medidas adoptadas frente a la crisis. Las propuestas para lograr la equidad afectan a distintos ejes del Sistema Nacional de Salud: entre otros, la definición del aseguramiento, el reparto de costes entre aseguradores y asegurados, la distribución de competencias entre atención primaria y especializada, la gestión clínica y la producción y la difusión de información para favorecer la toma de decisiones de autoridades sanitarias, profesionales y ciudadanía. Además, se recomienda prestar especial atención a colectivos específicos particularmente
vulnerables.
This article reveals the presence of inequalities in access to health care that may be considered unfair and avoidable. These inequalities are related to coverage of clinical needs, to the financial problems faced by families in completing medical treatments, or to disparities in waiting times and the use of services for equal need. A substantial proportion of inequalities appears to have increased as a result of the measures adopted to face the economic crisis. The recommendations aimed at improving equity affect different pillars of the taxpayer-funded health system, including, among others, the definition of the right to public health care coverage, the formulas of cost-sharing, the distribution of powers between primary and specialty care, the reforms of clinical management, and the production and dissemination of information to facilitate the decision-making processes of health authorities, professionals and citizens. Moreover, it is recommended to focus on particularly vulnerable population groups.
This article reveals the presence of inequalities in access to health care that may be considered unfair and avoidable. These inequalities are related to coverage of clinical needs, to the financial problems faced by families in completing medical treatments, or to disparities in waiting times and the use of services for equal need. A substantial proportion of inequalities appears to have increased as a result of the measures adopted to face the economic crisis. The recommendations aimed at improving equity affect different pillars of the taxpayer-funded health system, including, among others, the definition of the right to public health care coverage, the formulas of cost-sharing, the distribution of powers between primary and specialty care, the reforms of clinical management, and the production and dissemination of information to facilitate the decision-making processes of health authorities, professionals and citizens. Moreover, it is recommended to focus on particularly vulnerable population groups.