14 December 2024 : PIB Summary For UPSC

1. Steps taken by the Government to reduce Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure

(Source – https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2084188&reg=3&lang=1 )

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health

Context

The article highlights India’s efforts to reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare through increased budget allocations, national health initiatives, and the expansion of healthcare infrastructure.Key government programs like Ayushman Bharat and PM-JAY aim to enhance access to affordable healthcare services.

Decline in Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE)

• The Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) has decreased from 48.8% in 2017-18 to 39.4% in 2021-22.
• The decline trend over the years: 48.2% in 2018-19, 47.1% in 2019-20, and 44.4% in 2020-21. This indicates progress in reducing personal health spending in India.

Increased Budget Allocation for Health

• The budget allocation for the Department of Health & Family Welfare has risen by 85% from 2017-18 (BE) to 2024-25 (BE).
• The 15th Finance Commission has allocated Rs. 70,051 crores as grants for health through local governments to enhance healthcare delivery.

Initiatives to Improve Healthcare Access

• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has urged states to prioritize healthcare funding with at least a 10% annual increase.
• The National Health Mission (NHM) supports state governments in providing accessible and affordable healthcare services, especially for underserved and marginalized groups, particularly in rural areas.

Key Mission Mode Projects

• Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM):
  • This scheme aims to strengthen primary, secondary, and tertiary health systems, with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crore.
  • It focuses on developing national institutions and capacities to detect and treat emerging diseases.
• Ayushman Aarogya Mandir (AAM):
  • As of December 2024, 1,75,418 AAMs have been set up by transforming Sub-Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
  • AAMs aim to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative care.

Ayushman Bharat-PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

• PM-JAY offers Rs. 5 lakh health cover per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to 55 crore beneficiaries.
• Recently, the scheme extended health coverage to senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.

Other Government Healthcare Initiatives

• The National Free Drugs Service and Free Diagnostic Service aim to provide essential drugs and diagnostic facilities to reduce OOPE.
• The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) ensures the availability of affordable generic medicines, and AMRIT Pharmacy stores offer affordable medicines and implants in select hospitals.

Practice Question:  Discuss the initiatives undertaken by the Government of India to reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenditure in healthcare. How do schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PM-JAY contribute to improving healthcare access? (150 Words /10 marks)