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.
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.
