Performance Trends and Policy Recommendations An Evaluation of the Mass Health Insurance Scheme of Government of India

India’s health sector is characterized by modest health indicators, a paucity of medical financing schemes that have successfully scaled, high per capita out-of-pocket health expenditure, and very low levels of public health spending. The lack of financing options, especially when the population is facing burdens of frequent communicable, as well as catastrophic lifestyle diseases leads to poor health outcomes and to poverty traps. Given this scenario, there existed a strong case for introducing public health financing schemes aimed at improving national health outcomes, and reducing the vulnerability of the masses.