What are the criticisms made against universal health insurance subsidy schemes? Are they valid? Critically examine. (200 Words)

Ans:-The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system based on the JAM trinity has proved successful for subsidies for schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojna, LPG Gas Cylinders' Pahel, etc. However, there is an inherent difference between the DBT system in such schemes and the DBT system as proposed in the Universal Health Insurance subsidies. In the former, the subsidies are transferred directly to the beneficiary for having spent so much amount over and above what would have been the subsidized price. But in the Universal Health Insurance subsidies, the beneficiaries will have to transfer such received amount to those who offer medical services to them. This makes the Hospitals a proxy beneficiary while the individual seeking medical help is only utilizing the services by paying what he obtains from DBT. It may cause problems due to the following reasons:

- The out of pocket expenses will end up being the same as a 'universal' scheme of subsidies puts everyone on the same foot. Hence, the hospitals will be assured of the DBT amount and will expect the same additional expenses from the patients as before.
- The DBT does not tackle the primary problem, that is, access to medical care. In rural areas, private hospitals have no presence, and the public hospitals have mediocre health facilities.
- The private hospitals may tend to increase the treatment by various complications due to the lure of money. A similar situation like the hysterectomies surgeries in Andhra Pradesh may arise.