Find out what #healthfinancing actions countries are taking to reduce the adverse effects of #COVID19 on people & health systems in Europe. A new brief from #WHOBarcelona @WHO_Europe http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Health-systems/health-systems-financing/publications/2020/strengthening-the-health-financing-response-to-covid-19-in-europe-2020

The brief identifies key actions in three #healthfinancing policy areas & illustrates them using country examples from the @WHO_Europe @EU_Health @OBShealth #COVID19 Health Systems Response Monitor #HSRM

Gaps in health coverage make it harder to address #COVID19. Across Europe, the people most likely to lack coverage are #migrants & (in countries that link entitlement to payment of contributions) those in informal or non-stable work & self-employed people

Some countries are leading the way in their health system response to #COVID19. They have moved fast to *reduce financial barriers to access* by removing user charges, extending entitlement to migrants, paying contributions for people who have lost work & providing income support

Without extra public investment, health systems will struggle to control #COVID19 & at the same time maintain access to essential health services for other conditions. Simply reallocating the existing health budget is not a viable option

Many countries are reprioritising the government budget to *mobilise additional funds for health* - with health & finance ministries working together to deploy funds quickly & transparently. Some have removed health spending from budget deficit targets

Countries have also been adapting contracting & payment processes to *give health care providers flexibility to respond* to #COVID19: incentives for surge capacity, measures to ensure financial stability & support for innovation in service delivery

A common theme in national responses to #COVID19 in Europe is the removal of administrative barriers. This positive development shows what can be done to ensure publicly financed services (of any kind) are able to meet people’s needs without #administrativeburden