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Following the government’s decision to raise copayments for medicines, services, and medical technologies included in the national healthcare basket, Taub Center researchers examined the proposal and its expected implications. According to the researchers, while such a move may increase state revenues, it is likely to place a greater burden on most of the population, potentially harming public health — especially for those with chronic illnesses, older adults, and the middle class. More specifically, higher copayments would likely increase the phenomenon of foregoing medicines and medical services due to cost. For example, in the Arab population and among low-income individuals, the share of those who forgo medicines for financial reasons is twice the national average. The researchers warn that this could exacerbate health inequalities.
The researchers — Prof. Gabi Ben Nun, Prof. Nadav Davidovitch, and Nir Kaidar — urge decision makers to reject the proposed copayment increase and instead consider more progressive and efficient funding alternatives in order to protect public health.