| A Review of the Health Financing Policies Towards Universal Health Coverage in Iran
Background and Objectives: Timely access to required health services without any financial hardship is
necessary to achieve public health. Therefore, the aim of present study was to review the policies and plans
adopted in the health financing system.
Methods: The qualitative study with a policy research approach reviewed upstream laws, policies, and plans in
Iranian health financing. Then, by holding seven focused group discussions with 28 participants who represented
various stakeholders, financing policies and programs were identified. Using framework analysis, the data were
coded and categorized.
Results: In response to health financial protection indexes improvement, policies and plans in this field were
defined in 10 themes and 4 categories: resources collection, resources management and pooling, resources
allocation, and strategic purchasing of health services. The most important policies and plans were integration of
insurance funds, increasing sustainable financial resources and targeted allocation of subsidies, services priority
setting, establishment and improvement of a performance-based payment system with emphasis on integration of
the professional element in the public and private sectors.
Conclusion: There is no gap for documented laws and policies in the Iranian health financing system. The main
barriers are the method of implementation and adequate commitment to laws that have created major difficulties
in relation to financial protection. Resolving these barrierrs requires sufficient political support and a common
understanding between stakeholders at |