Healthcare in Costa Rica

WHO's 2000 survey ranked Costa Rica as having the 36th best health care system, placing it one spot above the United States at the time.

[4] When looking at the right to health with respect to children, Costa Rica achieves 97.7% of what is expected based on its current income.

[4] In regards to the right to health amongst the adult population, the country achieves 94.8% of what is expected based on the nation's level of income.

By 1977, health programs had been so successful that US Aid for International Development in the sector was ended, as the country was found "too healthy" to continue being a recipient.

Workers need to be cover by a "poliza de riesgo del trabajo" an insurance policy that complements the health care provided by the "Caja" for injuries related to labor risks.

The percent of residents with health insurance increased gradually, as the program was originally only intended for urban workers.

It has the obligation (as a public institution) to formulate and execute health programs that are both preventive (such as: vaccination, informational, fumigation, etc.)

[citation needed] The Equipos Básicos de Atención Integral en Salud (EBAIS), or Comprehensive Basic Health Care Team, began operating in 1995, under control of the Social Security Fund.

The program had been proposed two years earlier by a bipartisan committee of experts set up by the president to redress decreases in the quality of services that had occurred over the preceding decade.

[8] EBAIS designates certain residences as high-risk due to subs-standard housing and amenities or risky health conditions (e.g. teenage pregnancy).

[12][13] The Costa Rican Supreme Court, the Sala IV, released litigations for medications, treatments, and other health care issues.

[14] Then a new study was conducted researching the court's reformed ruling process and whether it has changed in favor of the health rights conversation.

[7] Reasons for opting for private health care include shorter wait times and the ability to choose one's doctor.

[7] Abortion in Costa Rica is restricted to situations that preserve the life or physical health of the mother.

Abortions are illegal in cases of rape or incest, for social or economic reasons or when the unborn child suffers from medical problems or birth defects.