Ability to Pay for Future National Health Financing Scheme among Malaysian Households

BackgroundMalaysia is no exception to the challenging health care financing phenomenon of globalization.ObjectivesThe objective of the present study was to assess the ability to pay among Malaysian households as preparation for a future national health financing scheme.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving representative samples of 774 households in Peninsular Malaysia.FindingsA majority of households were found to have the ability to pay for their health care. Household expenditure on health care per month was between MYR1 and MYR2000 with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 73.54 (142.66), or in a percentage of per-month income between 0.05% and 50% with mean (SD) 2.74 (5.20). The final analysis indicated that ability to pay was significantly higher among younger and higher-income households.ConclusionsSociodemographic and socioeconomic statuses are important eligibility factors to be considered in planning the proposed national health care financing scheme to shield the needed group from catastrophic health expenditures