Govt should consider national health insurance scheme: regulator
Irda chairman J. Hari Narayan says govt should combine existing plans to improve the level of coverage
New Delhi: The government should consider launching a national health insurance scheme by combining existing plans to improve the level of coverage, said J. Hari Narayan, chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (Irda).
This would be a better option than overhauling the entire system of providing healthcare, Hari Narayan said while referring to the debate on universal healthcare.
“The government should look at combining the benefits of schemes like the Aarogyasri scheme and the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana," he said at a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) seminar.
“While the government can continue to support the population below the poverty line under the scheme, the population above the poverty line should also be able to participate in the scheme," he said.
This will help in bringing down acquisition costs for insurance companies, he said.
Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!