Here's all you need to know about ModiCare, world's largest national health protection scheme:
The National Health Protection Scheme or "ModiCare" would provide a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per year for free treatment for hospitalization. Going forward, more funds would be made available as the programme is rolled out over the year, officials said.
"ModiCare", the new national health protection scheme, will cover nearly 40 per cent of the country's population. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that "Modicare" would take public healthcare in the world's largest democracy "to a new aspiration level", adding that his government was steadily but surely progressing towards a goal of "universal health coverage".
India spends a little over one percent of its GDP on public healthcare, which is one of the lowest proportions in the world. Mr Jaitley also announced National Health Policy 2017 with Rs 1,200 crore allocation for the healthcare sector. "Health and wellness centres will bring healthcare closer and more accessible to people," Mr Jaitley said.
Citing a national survey report, the Economic Survey had pointed that people had to spend an average Rs 26,000 for treatment per hospitalised case in private facilities. Mr Jaitley said the government had been "seriously concerned" that millions had to struggle to receive adequate treatment in hospital.
Under the National Health Protection Scheme or "ModiCare", the government estimates the cost of insuring each family would be about Rs 1,100. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that this budget will add to ease of living.
Centre Invites Delhi Government To Join Ayushman Bharat Health Scheme PM Modi Says Over 89,000 People In Tamil Nadu Benefited From Modicare "PM Uses Teleprompters" Says Mamata Banerjee, Pulls Out Of Modicare 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court 2 French Rafale Jets Collide Mid-Air, Instructor, Pilot Missing Independence Day Updates: "75,000 New Seats For Medical Students In Next 5 Years", Says PM Modi Probe Reveals Brazil Plane Crashed One Minute After Pilots Sensed Trouble "Strictest Punishment For Crimes Against Women": PM Amid Kolkata Protests "Working To Reduce Government Interference In People's Lives": PM Modi Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.