Paralysed by Choice
To top the list of inequities that our country harbors, health inequity is definitely one of the listed highlights. I found that English-written scholarship on the issue of health inequity in Lebanon to be very minimal. In addition to written scholarship, local discussion of the issue does not seem to be so prevalent in the media. I believe that lack of discussion over health inequity leads to lack of activism over the issue. Perhaps we can start here. Health inequity refers to the inequitable distribution of healthcare across different socio-economic groups in Lebanon. It is also a general injustice in society. If this problem remains unaddressed, Lebanese residents will continue to spiral into a state of depravity and poverty, especially residents that occupy the lower end of the income spectrum. Coupled with the electricity and water shortage, an unhygienic environment is sure to victimize the helpless and the poor in the upcoming winter. To stay on such a path implies that our health system will, ironically, become a propeller of an unsustainable lifestyle.
The issue of health inequity came across me in an article titled “Health equity in Lebanon: a microeconomic analysis” by Salti, Chabaan and Raad. The article discusses some very critical and important issues that our government should address and resolve in order for the population to benefit from an equitable healthcare system. I realize that my claim is very utopian, but let us imagine it could be true momentarily. The microeconomic analysis is a very interesting, albeit technical piece. It looks at data from 2004 to 2005 to analyze equity in issues of health needs, ability to pay, health outcomes and health access. The results of the analysis found that astronomical health payments were more likely among lower income groups. The irony is that Lebanon’s lower income groups have constrained financial means yet they incur health care expenses more frequently than the wealthy. They also have lower insurance rates, which causes them to spend more of their income on health in comparison to other income groups.
If lower income groups are forced to spend most of their income on their healthcare needs then they will inevitably be forced to cut back spending on other needs such as food, clothing, and an adequate place to live. Keep in mind that real estate prices have gone through the roof in recent years if you’re even considering living in the capital. So, one implication of health inequity is that it keeps lower income groups in a perpetual poverty trap. Poverty traps ultimately have an effect on the living standards, the work force and the efficiency of the economy as a whole. They foster corruption, black markets and higher rates of local crime. Their existence is not to be taken lightly. This effect will be magnified in times of crisis or instability, which we all know is highly likely at this point in time. The poorest strata of the population that lack insurance coverage are often assisted by the Ministry of Public Health. They either enter public hospitals or are admitted into private ones with a price ceiling on the services that the Ministry is willing to pay for. The article, published in 2010, notes that the Ministry of Public Health was responsible for the hospital care of more than 50 percent of the population. In other words, at the time the article was written, more than 50 percent of the Lebanese population was uninsured and is in a state of health inequity. It also implies that there is a huge fiscal waste at the hands of the Ministry of Public Health. If the health insurance system was more equitable and efficient perhaps this fiscal waste could be put towards the nation’s electricity bills. Unfortunately, the political deadlock among the numerous sects in our country has created a paralysis over the ability of our ministries and institutions to resolve the social injustice of health inequity, among others. And so, we are paralysed by choice.
The central theme in corrupt economies is that the rich get the steal and the poor face the deal. This can develop in any sector of the economy if the system or institution put in place to regulate that sector is inefficient and corrupt. In accordance with the findings of the article I cited earlier, the Ministry of Public Health should revise its strategy for the portion of the population that lacks health coverage. This should include a new health insurance system that is both efficient and inclusive. It should provide basic, minimal healthcare services to Lebanese citizens at no cost. It should also provide a level of insurance that is proportional to income. It doesn’t take an imagination to realize this conclusion; however, the political sects that may be harmed by such a policy change will probably be our next paralysis, by choice.
N.C
To top the list of inequities that our country harbors, health inequity is definitely one of the listed highlights. I found that English-written scholarship on the issue of health inequity in Lebanon to be very minimal. In addition to written scholarship, local discussion of the issue does not seem to be so prevalent in the media. I believe that lack of discussion over health inequity leads to lack of activism over the issue. Perhaps we can start here. Health inequity refers to the inequitable distribution of healthcare across different socio-economic groups in Lebanon. It is also a general injustice in society. If this problem remains unaddressed, Lebanese residents will continue to spiral into a state of depravity and poverty, especially residents that occupy the lower end of the income spectrum. Coupled with the electricity and water shortage, an unhygienic environment is sure to victimize the helpless and the poor in the upcoming winter. To stay on such a path implies that our health system will, ironically, become a propeller of an unsustainable lifestyle.
The issue of health inequity came across me in an article titled “Health equity in Lebanon: a microeconomic analysis” by Salti, Chabaan and Raad. The article discusses some very critical and important issues that our government should address and resolve in order for the population to benefit from an equitable healthcare system. I realize that my claim is very utopian, but let us imagine it could be true momentarily. The microeconomic analysis is a very interesting, albeit technical piece. It looks at data from 2004 to 2005 to analyze equity in issues of health needs, ability to pay, health outcomes and health access. The results of the analysis found that astronomical health payments were more likely among lower income groups. The irony is that Lebanon’s lower income groups have constrained financial means yet they incur health care expenses more frequently than the wealthy. They also have lower insurance rates, which causes them to spend more of their income on health in comparison to other income groups.
If lower income groups are forced to spend most of their income on their healthcare needs then they will inevitably be forced to cut back spending on other needs such as food, clothing, and an adequate place to live. Keep in mind that real estate prices have gone through the roof in recent years if you’re even considering living in the capital. So, one implication of health inequity is that it keeps lower income groups in a perpetual poverty trap. Poverty traps ultimately have an effect on the living standards, the work force and the efficiency of the economy as a whole. They foster corruption, black markets and higher rates of local crime. Their existence is not to be taken lightly. This effect will be magnified in times of crisis or instability, which we all know is highly likely at this point in time. The poorest strata of the population that lack insurance coverage are often assisted by the Ministry of Public Health. They either enter public hospitals or are admitted into private ones with a price ceiling on the services that the Ministry is willing to pay for. The article, published in 2010, notes that the Ministry of Public Health was responsible for the hospital care of more than 50 percent of the population. In other words, at the time the article was written, more than 50 percent of the Lebanese population was uninsured and is in a state of health inequity. It also implies that there is a huge fiscal waste at the hands of the Ministry of Public Health. If the health insurance system was more equitable and efficient perhaps this fiscal waste could be put towards the nation’s electricity bills. Unfortunately, the political deadlock among the numerous sects in our country has created a paralysis over the ability of our ministries and institutions to resolve the social injustice of health inequity, among others. And so, we are paralysed by choice.
The central theme in corrupt economies is that the rich get the steal and the poor face the deal. This can develop in any sector of the economy if the system or institution put in place to regulate that sector is inefficient and corrupt. In accordance with the findings of the article I cited earlier, the Ministry of Public Health should revise its strategy for the portion of the population that lacks health coverage. This should include a new health insurance system that is both efficient and inclusive. It should provide basic, minimal healthcare services to Lebanese citizens at no cost. It should also provide a level of insurance that is proportional to income. It doesn’t take an imagination to realize this conclusion; however, the political sects that may be harmed by such a policy change will probably be our next paralysis, by choice.
N.C