The Basics of Health Care Reforms

Health care reforms forms an integral part of government policy in any country. Take a glimpse of what it is all about.

Health insurance is essential for every citizen in a country. It helps in covering up expenses for future mishaps or unforeseen circumstances that might bring about a financial crunch. Thus, every government now has chalked out specific set of reforms for its citizens wherein they can protect themselves from health issues. Health policy rules in any given state or city is the building of new methods and altering the existing ones to deliver healthcare benefits to its citizens. The health reforms in any country are influenced by the government policy of that country.

Health care reforms are made aiming certain positive changes in the near future. The goals are increasing ways in which people can get access to health care specialists, extending the range of healthcare options for the citizens to choose from, enhancing the quality of healthcare, give more care to the people, reduce the costs of healthcare facilities and include more citizens under the health care coverage through private sector insurance companies or public sector insurance schemes. Other reforms include protecting citizens from sudden high rates, encourage employers to offer health insurance, allow low income group people to get qualified for health insurance and encourage primary and preventive care.

Different countries have varied forms of health insurance reforms. For instance India’s health policy aims at providing universal healthcare to every citizen whether you are below the poverty line or above it. It is considered to be a fundamental right for every citizen in the country. In the recent times, the government has taken huge initiatives to improve the rural health infrastructure and new medical insurance schemes have been built. The current government reforms for the health sector is laying greater emphasis on the merging of private and public health care services, reduction of medical services costs, building a universal health care fund, diversifying and distributing human health resources, promoting practices based on evidences, proper use of drugs and technology and establishment of an accountable and decentralized governing structure to cater to local health requirements.

However, in comparison to the developed western nations India has a long way to go in terms of providing healthcare to its 121 billion population. The government at present is looking forward to increase the public investment on health from 1.22 percent of GDP to 2.5 percent in the near future.