The most striking indicator of the degree of socio-economic development of a society is population health indicators. The statistics of the last decade indicate a decrease in the birth rate and life expectancy, as well as the provision of public assistance from the health system. The relevance of this problem lies in its vital importance for each person.
Unfortunately, the state budget has significantly reduced the possibility of providing free medical care. Health financing comes from certain sources. These include:
- financing from the state budget;
- insurance income of compulsory medical insurance and voluntary medical insurance;
- services provided on a paid basis;
- income received from securities;
- donations, as well as gratuitous transfers, etc.
Health financing from the state budget is carried out in accordance with the approved annual amounts. However, these funds are not fully sufficient. In addition, the list of diseases for which such services are provided is very scarce. The reason for this situation, in particular, lies in the underpayment of taxes by individuals and legal entities.
The necessary amount of health financing is possible by expanding the relevant budget line. To do this, it is necessary to strengthen tax obligations, but at this stage of the economic development of society, this idea conflicts with the fiscal policy of the Russian government. In addition, the transfer of funds under this scheme does not contribute to the development of market relations. Consequently, health care financing should be provided only for various scientific developments. That is, in those areas where there are no market relations.
In the new economic conditions, one of the forms of social protection of the country's population is health insurance, which is mandatory. The law of the Russian Federation, which approved the organizational and economic aspects of contributions covering healthcare costs, strengthens the interest and responsibility of each person, as well as enterprises and the state as a whole, in protecting health. This normative act ensures the rights of a citizen of the Russian Federation to receive medical care, which are fixed in the country's constitution. The purpose of this law is to finance preventive measures and guarantee the provision of medical services to everyone who has an insured event.
The public health system also exists through voluntary contributions. VHI serves to obtain additional services of medical institutions by the country's residents. Their provision is not included in the compulsory medical insurance system. Insured under VHI can act as individual citizens who are competent, as well as enterprises that represent the interests of their employees. According to the supplementary insurance system, medical assistance by health care institutions is provided only to those citizens who timely and fully transfer insurance payments under the concluded contract. The amount of contributions depends on the health status of the insured and the prices that medical institutions set for their services. Typically, an LCA agreement is concluded for a period that does not exceed twelve months. However, it is advisable to sign it for a longer time period. Voluntary medical insurance does not apply to services provided through compulsory medical insurance.
At present, domestic health care requires an additional infusion of cash resources, as well as their maximum effective use. This should happen due to increased competition between medical institutions and improvement of the insurance system.