USAID implemented a cooperative health system in Uganda under the umbrella organization Uganda Health Cooperative (UHC). USAID’s goal is to expand the role of the private and commercial sectors in improved health by increasing the use of quality family planning and other health products and services. USAID developed a financial strategy to improve access to affordable quality health care for low-income people in Uganda. The program provided crucial assistance to UHC in designing a number of health insurance programs in various regions of the country.

As part of the CMS program, USAID built a health care system that is paid for and run by the people it serves through the UHC. Currently-enrolled health plan groups include schools, tea and forestry cooperatives, and self-help groups. Plan members make decisions as a group about which services to buy, thereby determining the price of their periodic dues. Members also give the providers feedback about the services.