The Role of Insurance in Social Protection in Latin America

• Published in: International social security review (English edition) Vol. 58; no. 2-3; pp. 43 - 69
• Main Authors: Titelman, Daniel, Uthoff, Andras
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK and Boston, USA Blackwell Science Ltd 01-07-2005; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Cost Containment; Financing; Funding; Health care; Health Care Services; Insurance; Insurance industry; Latin America; Pensions; Public-Private partnerships; Reforms; Social Policy; Social protection; Social Security; Studies; Latin America
• ISSN: 0020-871X; 1468-246X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-246X.2005.00216.x

Social protection schemes in Latin America face serious short falls in the financial resources available to meet their needs. New types of insurance envisaged in reforms should help to contain costs and increase coverage. However, in strengthening schemes' coverage it is highly probable that considerable demand for additional financial resources will arise to address the need to introduce the principle of solidarity into the system. This article examines reforms in the financing of social security for healthcare and pensions, highlighting the implications of various public‐private combinations for financial management and coverage.