1. What is the difference between cost, charge and price in health care? How do they affect the quality and access of health care services? - Cost is the amount of money that a health care provider spends to deliver a service or a product. Charge is the amount of money that a health care provider asks for a service or a product. Price is the amount of money that a health care payer (such as an insurance company or a patient) pays for a service or a product. Cost, charge and price can affect the quality and access of health care services by influencing the supply and demand, the efficiency and effectiveness, and the equity and affordability of health care delivery. 2. What are some of the main sources of revenue for health care organizations? What are some of the main expenses for health care organizations? - Some of the main sources of revenue for health care organizations are payments from public and private insurers, payments from patients, grants and donations, and other income from investments, research, education, etc. Some of the main expenses for health care organizations are salaries and benefits for staff, supplies and equipment, utilities and maintenance, depreciation and interest, and other costs such as taxes, insurance, legal fees, etc. 3. What are some of the common methods of payment for health care services? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each method? - Some of the common methods of payment for health care services are fee-for-service, capitation, bundled payment, pay-for-performance, and value-based payment. Fee-for-service is when a health care provider is paid for each service or procedure performed. Capitation is when a health care provider is paid a fixed amount per patient per period regardless of the services provided. Bundled payment is when a health care provider is paid a single amount for a group of related services or episodes of care. Pay-for-performance is when a health care provider is paid based on the quality and outcomes of the services provided. Value-based payment is when a health care provider is paid based on the value (quality divided by cost) of the services provided. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of incentives, risks, complexity, transparency, accountability, etc. 4. What are some of the main challenges and opportunities for health care financing in low- and middleincome countries? How can they improve their health system performance and achieve universal health coverage? - Some of the main challenges for health care financing in low- and middle-income countries are low levels of public spending on health, high levels of out-of-pocket spending on health, inefficient allocation and use of resources, inadequate risk pooling and protection mechanisms, weak governance and accountability systems, etc. Some of the main opportunities for health care financing in low- and middle-income countries are increasing domestic revenue mobilization for health, reducing financial barriers to access health care services, enhancing strategic purchasing and contracting arrangements, strengthening social health insurance and other prepayment schemes, improving financial management and transparency practices, etc.