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The government is considering the launch of a universal health insurance product, a government official said, adding that the Department of Financial Services has already held discussions with insurance companies for the launch of such a product.
The government is also considering ways to incentivise providers to encourage good health rather than hospitalisation.
“So far, health schemes are pushing for hospitalisation rather than preventive health. A product that encourages this is also being considered,” said Nikunj Dhal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, at a workshop on ‘Universal health coverage in India: Karnataka case study’, organised by the University of Chicago and the Public Health Foundation of India.
Several experts at the workshop felt that government schemes would do well to focus more on primary healthcare rather than on offering hospitalisation and insurance benefits.
Must be simple“A well-functioning primary health centre is the most important requirement for the country today, along with sustained increase in public spending on primary healthcare,” said Dhal, adding that India was spending only 1.2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) on health.
Citing the example of Rajiv Arogyashree and a similar scheme in Andhra Pradesh, Dhal said public health schemes should have a simple design to cater to the vast majority of the poor and vulnerable. Unlike Rashtriya Suraksha Bima Yojana (RSBY), these schemes required just a ration card or BPL card for the poor to avail of health services. Health insurance schemes, such as RSBY, are more useful at the tertiary stage, he added.
Karnataka modelCiting the case of Karnataka, P Boregowda, Executive Director, Suvarna Suraksha Arogyasiri Trust Karnataka, said the State had six running schemes, including RSBY, covering unorganised workers, farmers, government staff, and BPL/APL cardholders.
Claiming that 93 per cent of the State’s 6.5 crore population was covered by one scheme or the other, he said, “For the poor, no enrolment is required. Only BPL card is needed for health facilities in Karnataka.”
Boregowda said Karnataka is also rolling out cashless treatment for the first 48 hours for all road accident victims.
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