All you wanted to know on Universal Health Coverage Part-3

Part 1 and Part 2 may be found in newsletters dated 1st March and 17th March respectively, on our website patientsafetyaccess.org

Who will deliver UHC services?

The government will invest in ensuring adequate numbers of trained healthcare providers at the different levels of care. There will thus be greater recruitment and training for the delivery of UHC services by community health workers (such as ASHAs), nurses, rural healthcare practitioners (who will be trained by the proposed 3-year Bachelor of Rural Health Care program), allopathic doctors, AYUSH workers, and allied health professionals. A trained and equipped works force will be available at both public and privately contracted in facilities.

Who will manage the system?

The government will set up new all India and state level Public Health Service Cadres and a specialized state level Health Systems Management Cadre in order to give greater attention to public health and also strengthen the management of the UHC system. The human resources will be managed by autonomous, specialized agencies for regulation, evaluation and health promotion.

How will the system be governed and made accountable?

This will be done through the National Health Regulatory and Development Authority (NHRDA) the main functions of which will be to regulate and monitor public and private health care providers, with powers of enforcement and redressal. This regulator will oversee contracts, accredit health care providers, develop ethical standards for care delivery, enforce patient‘s charter of rights and take other measures to provide UHC system support for the National Health Package so as to control entry, quality, quantity, and price. The National Authority will be linked to similar state-level institutions and to the Ombudsperson at the district level especially to handle grievance redressal.

Can the same coverage be obtained for less with private insurance companies?

It is very unlikely that you would be able to calculate a cost of your specific contributions to UHC since payment for UHC is based on a tax based system which is different from individual premiums paid for private insurance. UHC is universal and lifelong based on your status as a resident as compared to private insurance which has a limit and based on payment of premiums.