Topic– Issues related to health
4) Insurance based health schemes are unlikely to succeed unless supplemented with improvements in primary healthcare. Discuss.(250 words)
Why this question
PM has announced the intention of the government to come out with a health insurance scheme that deals with the problem of rising OoPE wrt healthcare. The article discusses whether an effective health insurance scheme would alleviate the issue or whether it requires more systemic changes to be brought into the healthcare sector.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to discuss the debates wrt health insurance schemes and examine whether the problem of OoPE would be resolved by NHPM, or whether it requires more systemic changes.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Highlight that the independence day speech by PM laid special emphasis on this scheme.
Body
- Discuss the nature of NHPM or Modicare being envisioned by the government. highlight the issues that the government is trying to solve.
- Discuss the problem of OoPE with facts and figures and link how OoPE can be reduced if such insurance schemes work. Highlight other pros of insurances schemes
- Discuss the issues with relying on insurance without improving the basic health infrastructure of the country with special emphasis on the status of PHC.
Conclusion – Give your view on the effectiveness of health insurance schemes in dealing with OoPE and what should be the way forward.
