Are Remittances Good for Your Health? Remittances and Nepal’s National Healthcare Policy

Brian Chezum (), Cynthia Bansak and Animesh Giri
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Brian Chezum: St. Lawrence University
Animesh Giri: Cornerstone Research

Eastern Economic Journal, 2018, vol. 44, issue 4, No 6, 594-615

Abstract: Abstract We examine the relationship between remittances and healthcare usage in Nepal. Nepal provides an important case study due to the recent introduction of a nationalized healthcare policy with heterogeneity across its districts. We find that remittance income leads to increased expenditures on higher-priced medical care and a higher likelihood of visiting a doctor. The medical spending results are stronger in districts targeted for social healthcare programs. While government initiatives to increase health care appear to be directing those with health needs to receive medical care, public funding or accessibility may be insufficient to adequately treat all needs.

Keywords: remittances; medical spending; human development; nepal; universal health care; J61; F24; H51 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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DOI: 10.1057/s41302-018-0106-9

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