Two thirds of families in Maharashtra’s “free” health scheme pay for treatment

Nearly two thirds of families enrolled in a scheme that entitled them to free health services in Maharashtra paid substantial out-of-pocket expenses when they needed hospital treatment, a study has found.

The state of Maharashtra launched a health insurance scheme called Rajiv Gandhi Jeevandayee Arogya Yojana (RGJAY) in 2012 to improve access to medical care for poor people in the state. It entitles people with an annual income of up to Rs100<thin000 (£1000; €1400; $1500) to free health services from accredited healthcare centres, …