Evaluación del efecto del PAMI en la cobertura en salud de los adultos mayores en Argentina

This chapter aims to evaluate the impact of PAMI, a free social health insurance program in Argentina, on healthcare coverage for older adults. The specific objectives include estimating the effects of PAMI on healthcare service utilization, financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures (GBS), demand for voluntary health insurance, and overall effectiveness as a healthcare provider for older adults. The study utilized regression discontinuity design models to evaluate changes in access to healthcare services and financial protection caused by the age required to retire in Argentina, which is also the moment when people are eligible to enroll in PAMI. The dependent variables were indicators of population with health insurance, out-of-pocket health expenditure, and use of health services. The findings revealed that PAMI causes a significant increase in the population with health insurance and marginal reductions in out-of-pocket health expenditure. However, no significant effects on healthcare utilization were found. These results suggest that while PAMI has been effective in increasing access to healthcare services for older adults, there may be room for improvement in terms of service provision or mechanisms for accessing care. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of PAMI as a healthcare provider for older adults and highlights areas where improvements can be made to better serve beneficiaries.

Evaluating the Impact of PAMI on Healthcare Coverage for Older Adults

The healthcare system in Argentina is undergoing a period of significant reform, with the introduction of free social health insurance programs such as PAMI. This program aims to provide access to quality healthcare services for older adults and reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of PAMI, this study utilized regression discontinuity design models to estimate changes in access to healthcare services and financial protection caused by the age required to retire in Argentina, which is also the moment when people are eligible to enroll in PAMI.

Objectives

The specific objectives of this research were:

• Estimating the effects of PAMI on healthcare service utilization.
• Assessing its impact on financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures (GBS).
• Determining whether it has increased demand for voluntary health insurance.
• Overall effectiveness as a healthcare provider for older adults.

The dependent variables used were indicators of population with health insurance, out-of-pocket health expenditure, and use of health services.

Findings

The results revealed that PAMI causes a significant increase in the population with health insurance and marginal reductions in out-of-pocket health expenditure. However, no significant effects on healthcare utilization were found. These findings suggest that while PAMI has been effective in increasing access to healthcare services for older adults, there may be room for improvement when it comes to service provision or mechanisms for accessing care.

Conclusion

Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of PAMI as a healthcare provider for older adults and highlights areas where improvements can be made to better serve beneficiaries. It is clear that while there have been positive outcomes from introducing free social health insurance programs such as PAMI, more needs to be done if we are going ensure equitable access and quality care across all ages.