There were accusations by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh yesterday that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party had completely failed to run healthcare and that this is a major failure of the Modi government. Ramesh re-emphasized universal right to health in their party’s manifesto.
He explained, “The Congressional Declaration guarantees the universal right to health at a time when costs of healthcare, including health insurance are becoming unbearable.” Besides, he faulted the government for keeping 18% GST on health insurance and said over sixty-three percent of Indians are outside any medical cover.
“A series of failures has been noted in Modi Sarkar’s governance records with regards to mismanagement of healthcare industry. On June 4th we can promise every Indian that they have the right to health,” said Ramey Shi in one post on X. “Every Indian is guaranteed a universal right to health in our New Patra.
Ramesh added: “Providing medical insurance worth Rs 25 lakhs each for every citizen forms its core.” He clarified that today there is obvious need for these transformative welfare gains.
“Short-sighted Modi Sarkar has imposed an 18% GST on health insurance. Health insurance premiums are growing at four times the rate of inflation. According to PHDCCI, healthcare costs go up by 18-20% annually,” stated a congress leader referring to his recent speech
“The cost of rupees”. In just six years, coverage under health insurance schemes for one million people increased by seventy-five percent. More than 900 million Indians (63%) do not have any kind of health cover,” he said.
Under their Nyay Patra or The Justice Manifesto document, Congress promises free universal healthcare services at public facilities such as hospitals, dispensaries and primary healthcare centers as well as through mobile clinics; and free medicare including tests, diagnosis therapy, surgeries and drugs, rehabilitation and palliative care. It as well assures implementation of cashless insurance up to Rs 25 lakh on the lines of Rajasthan for universal healthcare.
