World Economic Forum (04.03.2019) An estimated 400 million people in the world lack access to basic health services, while millions are pushed into extreme poverty each year because of out-of-pocket healthcare costs. The burden of this lack of universal health coverage (UHC) is largely placed on Africa and Asia, where 97% of the population are impoverished by out-of-pocket health spending.

WHO (20.02.2019) Spending on health is growing faster than the rest of the global economy, accounting for 10% of global gross domestic product (GDP). A new report on global health expenditure from the World Health Organization (WHO) reveals a swift upward trajectory of global health spending, which is particularly noticeable in low- and middle-income countries where health spending is growing on average 6% annually compared with 4% in high-income countries.

lequotidiendumedecin (28.03.2019) Six mois après le lancement d'une grande concertation nationale pour répondre aux défis du vieillissement, Dominique Libault, conseiller d'État et président du Comité national du parcours des personnes âgées en risque de perte d'autonomie (PAERPA), a rendu ce jeudi à Agnès Buzyn son rapport. Il y compile... 175 propositions « pour une politique forte et nouvelle du grand âge en France » issues des 400 000 contributions récoltées en ligne, des 5 forums régionaux et des 10 ateliers nationaux.

Pacific Standard (02.04.2019) The U.S. has a rough track record with how it treats new parents, but there are reasons to believe that this could soon be a thing of the past.

China Briefing News (28.03.2019) China is lowering social insurance costs for employers after the State Council confirmed the decision at its meeting held on March 26. This follows Premier Li Keqiang’s pledge at the Two Sessions meetings, which were held earlier this month in Beijing, to lower costs for businesses by slashing tax and social insurance obligations.

EURACTIV.com (29.03.2019) The German crowdfunding project “Mein Grundeinkommen” (my basic income) has already funded 300 people who have benefitted from a monthly income of €1,000 for a year and 13 Departments in France are eager to introduce such a financial subsidy.

El País (01.04.2019) Este lunes también entran en vigor la retribución de 588 euros por hijo para las familias en situación de pobreza y las bonificaciones a la contratación de parados de larga duración

thisdaylive. (01.04.2019) Thursday President Muhammadu Buhari launched the micro pension plan (MPP) which automatically extends retirement benefits to millions of self-employed workers in the informal sector.

Bangkok Post (25.03.2019)  Following the general election yesterday, elected politicians will be closely watched how and whether they will keep the many promises made during their poll campaigns. One is their pledge to make Thailand a “welfare state”.

deloitte (March 2019) This 2019 outlook reviews the current state of the global health care sector and explores trends and issues impacting health care providers, governments, payers, patients, and other stakeholders. It also outlines suggestions for them as they seek to redefine the health care ecosystem and looks at examples from the market.