The effect of universal health insurance for children in Vietnam

Our research investigates the effects of the 2005 universal health insurance program for children under age 6 in Vietnam on health care utilization, household out-of-pocket (OOP) spending and self-reported health outcomes using data from the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey in 2002–2004–2006–2008. We use difference-in-differences to compare children eligible for the program to older children who are ineligible for the program. Results indicate that the program increased insurance coverage by 250% for children age 0–5 relative to the pre-policy period. We found large increases in both outpatient visits and hospital admissions. Health insurance availability also increased outpatient visits at both public and private facilities, suggesting that public and private health care services are complements. Although health insurance was associated with a decrease in inpatient OOP spending for children aged 3–5, it did not reduce outpatient OOP spending for children in general. Health insurance was associated with modest improvements in self-reported health outcomes. Our research suggests that expanded access to insurance among Vietnamese children improved access to care and health outcomes, though it did not necessarily reduce OOP spending.