The Impact of Health Policy Reforms on Healthcare Access

Abstract

The paper examines how the improvement of the health policy has led to the improvement of access to healthcare focusing on equity, affordability, and quality of care.  The results suggest that coverage and service availability have been significantly improved since the implementation of the latest changes, and a mixed-method strategy combines the quantitative analysis of the data on healthcare consumption with the qualitative information obtained for the patient and provider perspectives.  There are statistical results that show a significant reduction in out-of-pocket costs and access disparities in disadvantaged groups and regression data confirm that policy interventions are positively related to increased rates of healthcare use.  It is also revealed in qualitative interviews that the patients are more satisfied, believe in health institutions, and believe that they provide services more equally.  Things are not without their issues, however, such as uneven implementations by region and persistent shortages in rural and vulnerable regions.  On the whole, the findings indicate that the changes in policy have facilitated accessibility of things and reduced the costs, yet to ensure that they are effective in the long-term, they must be monitored frequently, modified where necessary and reinforced through other social programs.  The study contributes to the growing literature that planned changes can greatly enhance healthcare equity and provides information that policy makers can apply to help make health systems resilient globally.