The out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare decreases due to increased government investment and improved public healthcare framework.
This expansion protects individuals from catastrophic health expenditures and lowers their OOPE (NHA 2021 to 2022). Government programs like Ayushman Bharat and various state-level health insurance schemes (PMJAY) have provided insurance coverage to economically vulnerable populations that reduces their reliance on personal finances for healthcare, contributing to a decline in OOPE.
The National Health Accounts (NHA) data for 2021-22 reveals a positive trend. Between 2014-15 and 2021-22, government health expenditure (GHE) rose from 1.13% to 1.84%. Said Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra.
GHE's share of overall government spending grew from 3.94% to 6.12%, reflecting a robust commitment to public health. During the same period, per-capita health spending tripled from Rs. 1108 to Rs. 3169, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The increase allows the government to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure, making services more affordable and accessible to the public directly by reducing OOPE.
A crucial measure of healthcare accessibility and financial burden, as high levels of such spending can lead to significant financial strain for families, OOPE refers to the payments made directly by individuals at the time they receive
Healthcare services like medical consultations,
Hospital stays
Medications,
Diagnostic tests and other
Health-related costs that are non-inclusive of insurance or government programs
Social Security expenses on healthcare, including government-funded health insurance and social health programs, rose from 5.7% of total health expenditure (THE) in 2014-2015 to 8.7% in 2021-2022.
According to the government, the decline in OOPE makes healthcare services more affordable, encouraging individuals, especially in rural areas, to seek medical care without financial worry.
It leads to more equitable access to healthcare across various socio-economic groups.
Reduced OOPE allows the public healthcare system to cater to a broader population, distribute healthcare resources more equitably, and strengthen the overall system to handle increased demand.
The decline of OOPE and the strengthening of public healthcare further align with India's long-term goal of achieving universal health coverage. With ongoing investment, the nation moves closer to a system where healthcare access is a right rather than a privilege.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Dr. Swati Sharma/MSM)