S11strong progressive design of Pharmaceutical benefits, Pharmaceutical spending over 0-11 years of age favored the poor only insignificantly (concentration index -0.067, 95% CI -0.155, 0.023). The Medical spending on the other hand favored the rich slightly (concentration index 0.043, 95% CI 0.028, 0.058), despite its design to be predominantly income-neutral. The total Medical and Pharmaceutical government spending-sum of the two schemes-was slightly pro-rich (concentration index 0.035, 95% CI 0.018, 0.052). ConCluSionS: The income-related distributions of the publicly funded, universal, Medical and Pharmaceutical benefits for children in Australia slightly deviated from their designs regarding income, which may reflect differences in parents' healthcare-seeking preferences and access or barriers to health. Results will inform the design and reform of universal health insurance schemes especially for young children.
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