Public opinion on the eligibility of health care for migrants and refugees

Background: Worldwide, more than 200 million people have left their home country, and international migration from the Middle East to Europe is increasing. The journey and the poor living conditions cause numerous health problems. Migrants show significant differences in lifestyle, health beliefs and risk factors compared with native populations and this can impact access to health systems and participation in prevention programmes. Aim: Our aim was to measure the attitude of survey participants to migrants and to define up to what level migrants are entitled to health care from the viewpoint of Slovenian citizens. Methods: This survey was carried out in January 2019 and included 311 respondents. We applied a quantitative, nonexperimental sampling method. We used a structured survey questionnaire based on an overview, a national survey on the experiences of patients in hospitals and user satisfaction with medical services of basic health care at the primary level. Results: A large proportion of the respondents agreed that migrants should receive emergency or full health care provision, that there is no need to limit their health rights and that they do not feel that their own rights are compromised by the rights of migrants. Over 80% agreed with health protection for women and for children. Conclusion: The findings offer a basis for supplementing the existing, or designing a new, model of health care provision for migrants in Slovenia, focusing on the provision of health protection and care as a fundamental human right.

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Health Policy in Cambodia: To What Extent Is an Aid-Dependent Country Able to Determine Its Own Policy?

Journal of Social Policy ◽

10.1017/s0047279414000543 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 171-187 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

VIRGINIE DIAZ PEDREGAL ◽

BLANDINE DESTREMAU ◽

BART CRIEL

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Health Policy ◽

Low Income ◽

Access To Health Care ◽

Implementation Process ◽

Health Care Provision ◽

Care Provision ◽

Low Income Country ◽

Access To Health ◽

Wide Range

AbstractThis article analyses the design and implementation process of arrangements for health care provision and access to health care in Cambodia. It points to the complexity of shaping a coherent social policy in a low-income country heavily dependent on international aid.At a theoretical level, we confirm that ideas, interests and institutions are all important factors in the construction of Cambodian health care schemes. However, we demonstrate that trying to hierarchically organise these three elements to explain policy making is not fruitful.Regarding the methodology, interviews with forty-eight selected participants produced the qualitative material for this study. A documentary review was also an important source of data and information.The study produces two sets of results. First, Cambodian policy aimed at the development of health care arrangements results from a series of negotiations between a wide range of stakeholders with different objectives and interests. International stakeholders, such as donors and technical organisations, are major players in the policy arena where health policy is constructed. Cambodian civil society, however, is rarely involved in the negotiations.Second, the Cambodian government makes political decisions incrementally. The long-term vision of the Cambodian authorities for improving health care provision and access is quite clear, but, nevertheless, day-to-day decisions and actions are constantly negotiated between stakeholders. As a result, donors and non-government organisations (NGOs) working in the field find it difficult to anticipate policies.To conclude, despite real autonomy in the decision-making process, the Cambodian government still has to prove its capacity to master a number of risks, such as the (so far under-regulated) development of the private health care sector.

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