P.K. Mam
This write-up is a humble submission for consideration to all political parties concerning elderly populace of the country who are deprived of a reasonable provision of medical insurance cover at the fag end of active service towards meeting cost of treatment for major ailments due to complicated and inflexible norms fixed by insurance companies in existing system. It is requested that this issue may kindly be directed for examination and policy formulation by an expert team with positive approach to alleviate their suffering, Health insurance has historically played a pivotal role in improving access to healthcare around the world. However, less than 15% of the Indian population is covered under some form of health insurance, including government-supported schemes. Although over the last 66 years India has achieved a lot in terms of health improvement, yet India is way behind many fast developing countries such as China, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
The problem is more severe with the old aged and senior citizen category population in our country, whose number is increasing every year expecting a reasonable provision of medical insurance cover for them by the Insurance Agencies. This important facility to ensure and give much needed monetary relief to this class of society is presently not available in the existing scheme of companies due to stipulation of entry age being less than 70, and those who near 70 years of age, the entry is near to impossible, with stringent medical tests being a deterrent.
The current health insurance policies which allow for old age people, have inflexible / complicated norms, such as waiting period of 2 to 4 years for existing ailments, limited cover 1 to 2 lakhs for surgery and critical illness so on and so forth. As a matter of fact, it is the elders who mostly are prone to age related ailments but after having rendered active useful service to society, are not able to meet rising cost of treatment/ expenses in the present times and there are instances when such people are compelled to withdraw the treatment and even opt for premature termination of life owing to inability to meet cost of medical expenses.
Unfortunately, in the 2nd decade of 21st century, when life expectancy has also enhanced much due to improved standard of living, but at the same time cost of life care and cure has escalated beyond means. The need for medical insurance cover, which is supposed to be made available in a welfare state, is next to non-existent, due to outdated schemes or deliberately neglected by the less visionary authorities in the case of elders, especially.
Genuinely, there is a need to overview the policies in vogue presently governing these health insurance companies in order to ease the hardship faced by the needy class of society. It would be in fitness of things that Govt gets the whole issue examined by the experts with broadminded and sympathetic approach and authorise Insurance Companies for devising mechanism to make available medical insurance cover for elders even by considering a reasonable recovery of premium charges to which people will subscribe willingly. It would also be desirable if both central and state Govts help the people by subsidising some portion of premium amount on this account. Let us make the just cause a priority and a workable solution be sought for the same.
SUGGESTIONS:
The medical facility suggested to be made applicable for senior citizens could be considered as in case of central Govt. retired employees
The cost of treatment/services for ailments on account of hospitalisation etc could be considered by fixing different limits (monetary slabs) for separate age group category. Further, the costs on treatment can also be linked to services/products, like MRP.
The co-operation of Insurance Regulatory Authority of India will help much in achieving objective.
Govt. should take measures like introducing mandatory Health Fund akin to Provident fund scheme so as to ensure that the person saves enough to cover his old age health issues.
Bills like food security have been introduced for the welfare of citizens recently; with the same spirit, bill on Right to health care can be deliberated to help the much needy class.
The issue can be made one of the vital agenda points for inclusion in election manifesto and thereby garner support of special category of society.
Above all, why we cannot think of introduction of medical treatment for oldies on the pattern of U.S model in order to live a full, healthy and dignified life by citizens!
Lastly, let no one ever think of the ‘euthanasia’ option for reasons of inability to meet cost of treatment! Sir, the plea of oldies is as good, as HIS plans. Pray, let your good self be instrument to bring cheers on their lives by allowing them medical insurance coverage.
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