Economic inequality in satisfaction with healthcare in the Baltic countries during and after the economic crisis (2008–2014)

Abstract

Public satisfaction with healthcare systems is an important dimension of healthcare legitimacy. The paper analyzes how satisfaction with healthcare systems depended upon the economic situation of our respondents during and after the economic recession in the Baltic states. The results show that there were no differences in public satisfaction with healthcare between better and worse off people in Estonia (except in 2009). In Lithuania, however, satisfaction among the economically better off was higher compared to other groups between 2008 and 2014. In Latvia, inequality in satisfaction between groups in different economic situations became significant from 2010.

Welfare Attitudes in Crisis: The Role of Ideology in Healthcare Satisfaction in Portugal and Ireland

“…While evidence on the relationship between income and satisfaction in ‘normal’ times is inconclusive, a few recent studies demonstrate that one’s income can be a good predictor of his or her healthcare satisfaction in the crisis context (AlSaud et al, 2018; Popic et al, 2018; Roots et al, 2019). A country study of healthcare satisfaction in crisis-hit Portugal finds that satisfaction of individuals with lower income dropped particularly strongly compared to satisfaction of those with higher income, whose satisfaction levels show minor and insignificant changes (Popic et al, 2018).…”

“…A country study of healthcare satisfaction in crisis-hit Portugal finds that satisfaction of individuals with lower income dropped particularly strongly compared to satisfaction of those with higher income, whose satisfaction levels show minor and insignificant changes (Popic et al, 2018). Another study, on all Baltic countries, found that individuals’ economic situation, as measured through difficulties in paying bills, was related to healthcare satisfaction, such that those who more often experienced these difficulties were less satisfied (Roots et al, 2019). The analysis in question also revealed country variation in the association between the economic differences and satisfaction, with this association being the strongest in Latvia, the country whose healthcare system was hit the hardest by the crisis.…”

“…Within research on welfare attitudes in the context of the recent economic crisis, significant attention has been paid to the role of individuals’ socio-economic positions in attitude formation. Multiple studies have shown that how much one earns, how healthy one is, or where one stands in the labour market are predictors of how one views welfare state and its services in the crisis context (AlSaud et al, 2018; Brito Vieira et al, 2017; Popic et al, 2018; Roots et al, 2019). This emphasis on self-interest has been questioned through a growing body of literature that considers other factors, such as individuals’ political orientations, beliefs or deep-rooted ideological views, and the relationship of these factors to self-interests, in shaping welfare attitudes in economically hard times (Brooks and Manza, 2013; Margalit, 2013; Naumann et al, 2016; Gonthier, 2017).…”

Educational inequalities in epilepsy mortality in the Baltic countries and Finland in 2000–2015

“…Estonia and Lithuania have social health insurance systems underpinned by employment-based contributions with government funding for other non-employed groups, while in Latvia there is a national healthcare system funded through income tax and general revenues 9 , 10 . Although these systems provide extensive medical coverage (from over 90% of the population in Estonia and Lithuania to universal coverage in Latvia), high user charges (in Latvia) and substantial out-of-pocket payments can limit access to healthcare services, especially in disadvantaged groups 9 , 11 . Comparatively little is known about the epidemiology of epilepsy in the Baltic countries 12 .…”