Health Insurance in India: The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

This policy brief explores the challenges faced by India's poor workers in using the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), the largest of the government-sponsored health care insurance programmes.

Despite many positive elements of this national effort at health insurance for informal workers and those living below poverty line (estimated to be more than three-quarters of Indias population), the RSBY still requires out-of-pocket spending that puts it out of reach for many. Also, some poor workers are excluded, or experience difficulties in accessing care. The brief identifies key areas where action could be initiated over the short term to improve inclusion and accessibility.

This brief is part of the WIEGO Publication Series.

View list of all WIEGO briefs.