full free access: PLoS Medicine: Which Path to Universal Health Coverage? Perspectives on the World Health Report 2010

Box 1. Key Recommendations of the World Health Report 2010

• There is no single path or magic bullet to achieve universal health coverage: each country needs to devise its own route to achieve this goal.
• All countries, but particularly poorer ones, need to reduce reliance on direct, out-of-pocket payments for health care by increasing risk pooling and prepayment for services.
• Countries should address barriers to health care other than direct payments for care: transport costs and lost income can be substantial obstacles to care seeking.
• There is substantial scope to raise further domestic resources for health care, particularly through innovative approaches to financing.
• 20%–40% of health care expenditure is wasted; improved health system efficiency can make a substantial contribution to the achievement of universal health coverage.
• Wealthier countries should provide financial support to low income countries in order for them to achieve universal health care coverage.
• Despite some progress, development assistance for health remains fragmented and unpredictable; efforts to improve the efficiency and coordination of aid must be intensified.

media: Health care needs a cure - universal healthcare (foundation of a just society)

Universal health care in Canada is regarded as the foundation of a just society. It is so sacrosanct that schemes such as a private parallel system and user fees are considered taboo.