“The challenge, it seems to me, is not to cover everyone. Or even to give everyone the same cover. Rather, the … challenge … is really about narrowing inequalities in coverage.” Wagstaff (2010), Beyond Universal Coverage I

15% of the world’s population (1 billion people) Ageing populations and rise in non-communicable diseases Higher prevalence of disability among the poor Disability reduces income and earning capability and increased costs Health care is particularly burdensome Poverty rates increase significantly when the extra costs of disability are taken into account (e.g. Mont & Nguyen 2011)

Potentially powerful policy Current programs poorly targeted in eligibility and benefits Physical, acupuncture, acupressure rehabilitation services (no orthopedic, speech and occupational services) 90% of people requiring assistive devices are unable to attain them Capped benefits Physical and attitudinal barriers

Inclusion of rehabilitation and assistive devices Universal coverage of services and medication Coverage of catastrophic expenditures Travel costs Supplementary benefit package Systematic determination of disability Improve accessibility and training of health staff

UHC is arguably the most important policy to change the lives of persons with disabilities and their families So let’s do it well!