Work toward this outcome aims to eliminate direct payment for health services, as a necessary condition to advance toward universal health. The following should be undertaken in coordination and collaboration with financial authorities, according to the national context.

a) Eliminate direct payments that constitute a barrier to access at the point of service.

b) Protect against financial risks due to health events that cause impoverishing or catastrophic expenditure.

c) Advance toward solidarity-based pooling mechanisms to replace direct payment as a financing mechanism, combat segmentation, and increase the efficiency of the health system.

Note: For further details on the scope of this Outcome, please refer to the PAHO Strategic Plan 20-25 Document.