Universal Health Insurance in Law and Public Policy Perspective: A Comparative Study of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia
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Abstract
This study provides a comparative analysis of the implementation of universal health insurance laws in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia within the frameworks of health law and public policy, grounded in Universal Health Coverage principles. Employing a normative legal methodology—incorporating literature reviews and comparative legal analysis—the paper examines the regulatory frameworks, institutional governance, and implementation mechanisms of BPJS Kesehatan (Indonesia), PhilHealth under the Universal Health Care Act (Philippines), and the tax-funded public healthcare system in Malaysia. The findings reveal distinct institutional approaches: mandatory social health insurance in Indonesia, automatic enrollment in the Philippines, and tax-financed direct service provision in Malaysia. Effectiveness depends not only on coverage and financing but also on regulatory design, governance quality, and accountability. Key challenges include contribution compliance, fraud risks, and fiscal sustainability. The study recommends strengthening regulatory integration, institutional transparency, and national health information systems, while emphasizing social equity and accountability to safeguard the right to health. This report contributes to the field of comparative health law by highlighting regulatory coherence, governance, and fiscal capacity as critical factors for the effectiveness of Universal Health Coverage in Southeast Asia.
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