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.
