The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has implemented comprehensive measures to reduce Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on healthcare by expanding access to free and affordable health services, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and providing financial protection to households across India. The ministry supplements state and union territory efforts through centrally sponsored schemes including National Health Mission (NHM), Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), and Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).
Under NHM, 1.87 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been operationalized nationwide to deliver expanded comprehensive primary healthcare services including preventive, promotive, curative, palliative, and rehabilitative services covering reproductive and child healthcare, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and various other health concerns.
The National Free Drugs Service Initiative and Free Diagnostics Service Initiative have been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities, reducing patient OOPE at public health facilities. Financial support is provided to States/UTs for 113 drugs at AAM-Sub Health Centres, 179 at AAM-Primary Health Centres, 301 at Community Health Centres, 318 at Sub-District Hospitals, and 381 at District Hospitals. Additionally, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices through Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), and AMRIT Pharmacy stores have been established in some hospitals/institutions.
AB PM-JAY provides health cover of ₹5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to more than 12 crore families representing the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India's population. States/UTs implementing AB PM-JAY have further expanded the beneficiary base at their own cost. The scheme has been extended to cover 6 crore senior citizens aged 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of socio-economic status under AB PM-JAY with Vay Vandana Card.