Private healthcare will expand in Latin America

Subject

The outlook for private healthcare.

Significance

During 2003-13, various Latin American countries introduced expansionary healthcare reforms. Aiming to secure universal health coverage, they increased spending and created new non-contributory programmes. This did not necessarily affect private provision, which in several countries benefited from growing purchasing power and new private-public interactions.

Impacts

• Regional expansion of private healthcare is likely to accelerate in the coming decade.
• Ageing populations will require increased health spending in both the public and private spheres.
• Lower growth and commodities prices may increasingly put the onus on private health spending.