Abstract

VARGAS-TELLEZ, César Octavio. Progressivity of public expenditure on health in Mexico: 1984-2002. Econ. soc. territ [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.37, pp.729-757. ISSN 2448-6183.

This study attempts to calculate the progressivity of health expenditure by institution, type of medical care and its behavior for 16 years. Using analysis of incidence and micro data, we generated distributions of transfers of public expenditure on health per family. The analysis is completed with the calculation of inequality indexes; the results show a gradual improvement in the progressivity of health expenditure in the study period, with higher progressivity of health services provided by the Secretariat of Health and fewer improvements in ISSSTE and Pemex services. By type of medical care, preventive services seem more progressive than curative and hospital services. The results support the hypothesis that universal health care and their unification through a single entity would substantially improve the fairness of the public health system in Mexico.

Keywords : Mexico; public expenditure; health care; progressivity; distribution.