July 1, 2014
The new Indian government plans to implement a universal health insurance programme for the country – which would be the world’s biggest – and bring about a “complete transformation” of the health sector through research, innovation and the latest technology, according to Health Minister Harsh Vardhan.
”The blueprint of the world’s largest universal health insurance programme is in the process of being sharpened under the Prime Minister’s personal gaze. It is partially inspired by US President Barack Obama’s grand insurance-for-all project, which is popularly known as ‘Obamacare”’, said Mr Vardhan as he read out a speech by Premier Narendra Modi to a gathering of US-based Indian medical professionals in Texas over the weekend.
“It is my firm belief that our focus needs to go beyond health insurance. The way ahead lies in health assurance. We need to focus on preventive health care where public participation has a major role to play,” the Prime Minister said in the speech. Mr Modi won the recent general election and was sworn into office last month.
“The Prime Minister has authorised me to come up with a brand new policy soon,” the Press Trust of India reported, citing Mr Vardhan.
“ObamaCare” or the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, was signed into law in 2010. It aims to increase medical insurance coverage, improve the quality of healthcare and reduce healthcare costs in the US.