| By: |
Joseph Mensah;
Joseph R. Oppong;
Christoph M. Schmidt |
| Abstract: |
In 2003 the Government of Ghana established a National Health Insurance Scheme
(NHIS) to improve health care access for Ghanaians and eventually replace the
cashand- carry system. This study evaluates the NHIS to determine whether it
is fulfi lling its purpose in the context of the Millennium Development Goals
#4 and #5 which deal with the health of women and children. We use Propensity
Score Matching techniques to balance the relevant background characteristics
in our survey data and compare health outcomes of recent mothers who are
enrolled in the NHIS with those who are not. Our fi ndings suggest that NHIS
women are more likely to receive prenatal care, deliver at a hospital, have
their deliveries attended by trained health professionals, and experience less
birth complications. We conclude that NHIS is an eff ective tool for
increasing health care access, and improving health outcomes. |
| Keywords: |
Health insurance, prenatal care, Millennium Development Goals, Propensity Score Matching |
| JEL: |
I18 O12 C21 |
| Date: |
2009–12 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:rwi:repape:0157&r=mfd |