High-Level Expert Group Report on Universal Health Coverage, 2011

High Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) was constituted by the Planning Commission of India in October 2010, with the mandate of developing a framework for providing easily accessible and affordable health care to all Indians.

  • While financialprotection was the principal objective of this initiative, it was recognised that the delivery of UHC also requires the availability of adequate healthcare infrastructure, skilled health workforce and access to affordable drugs and technologies to ensure the entitled level and quality of care given to every citizen.

Pros and Cons of Universal Health Coverage

Pros

  • It lowers the costs of health care for the economy.
  • It reduces administrative costs for care access.
  • It simplifies the rules and processes.
  • It creates a workforce that is healthier.
  • It removes the competition.

Cons

  • It requires people to pay for services they do not receive.
  • It may limit the accuracy of patient care.
  • It may have a longer waiting period.
  • It limits the payouts which doctors receive. It can limit new technologies.
  • It requires significant budgeting skills.

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