The willingness to pay for healthcare at time of crisis: a contingent valuation study among Saudi individuals

Background and aimsCOVID-19 put healthcare systems around the world under significant pressure, and led to a global recession. In response, governments implemented aid programmes to stimulate their economies. This, along with the outbreak of war in Ukraine, complicated the economic situation. All of this may have ramifications on people's access to essential healthcare services. This study aims to investigate the willingness to pay for healthcare among Saudi individuals at time of economic downturn.MethodsQuestionnaires were used to collect data from 600 individuals across six provinces of Riyadh City between December 2017 and January 2018. The data were elicited using a closed ended format. A probit regression and marginal effects analyses were used to analyze the data.Results and conclusionThe results showed just over half the sample were willing to pay, suggesting that countries should give careful consideration to whether and when to involve people in financing healthcare services at time of economic turmoil. The results could be used by policymakers in decisions around funding allocation and priority setting.