The Migration Influence on the Forecasting of Health Care Budget Expenditures in the Direction of Sustainability: Case of Ukraine

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The manuscript deals with the issue of "Migration Influence on the Forecasting of the Healthcare Budget Expenditures in the Direction of Sustainability - the Case of Ukraine”.

In general, the manuscript presents an important issue worthy of attention and scientific discussion, which has a wide range of implications for both the health system, the welfare system and the ability to ensure the quality of life and health for residents given security instability as a result of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

There are a number of aspects that the study editors must consider in relation to them, in order to ensure that their manuscript will present in the most accurate and appropriate manner the set of aspects and issues discussed. I will detail:

1.       Lines 47-71: The main idea behind conducting the current study and the main scientific concept underlying this study should be expanded and added.

2.       Lines 97-150: The structure of the insights presented in these paragraphs is not clear. It is appropriate to present a preliminary paragraph that explains the manner in which the authors of the study wish to present their scientific claims.

3.       Lines 151-162: Several sources should be added in order to present articles about changes in GDP during economic crises.

4.       Lines 171-174: The research questions, research objectives, and research hypotheses must be presented.

5.       Line 287: The authors of the study are required to present the expectation in relation to the presented coefficient, and to explain.

6.       Lines 358-365: The data sources and alternative options for the data used should be expanded and detailed more.

7.       Table 7: It is not clear why the years 2022-2024 are shown together.

8.       The authors of the study are required to expand and detail more on how they take into account in their calculations the issue of immigration from Ukraine: after all, over the years (which has been and is expected) - the demographic structure in Ukraine is expected to change, among other things as a result of immigration processes. Therefore, all the calculations carried out as part of this study should take into account the question of immigration.

9.       In connection with the immigration issue mentioned above, the validity of the assumption that the authors of the study present in Table 10 regarding the gender-age structure should be expanded and explained. Apparently, in light of the demographic changes, there are expected to be far-reaching changes in relation to this. This should be examined and discussed again.

10.   Lines 506-512: What about the state's deficit targets? How did this come to my attention in relation to the issue under investigation?

11.   What about possible insights for the policymakers and decision-makers - both in the health system and in the political system? The key insights and implications that can be associated with and recommended according to the research findings should be noted.

12.   I will summarize and say again - in general, the manuscript is worthy and very interesting. The reference of the research editors to the discussed issues is important in order to be able to ensure the required accuracy and adequate scientific publication of the research findings.

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Great paper - well organized, extensive literature review, the contribution of these authors to the literature is made clear and is significant as are the results they find.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

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Author Response File: Author Response.pdf