Health ยท GS2
National Health Accounts 2022-23
One line
The Union Health Ministry released National Health Accounts estimates for 2022-23, mapping how healthcare was financed and used.
Summary
Health accounts help distinguish government spending, household out-of-pocket payments, insurance, and other financing sources. This is essential for judging financial protection and progress toward universal health coverage.
PYQ pattern
UPSC often asks how public financing, primary healthcare, and risk pooling can reduce catastrophic health expenditure.
Core notes
- National Health Accounts follow a standard accounting framework for health expenditure.
- Out-of-pocket expenditure is paid directly by households at the point of care.
- Current health expenditure differs from capital expenditure on buildings and equipment.
- A fall in household share can coexist with high burden for particular families or diseases.
Prelims lens
- Health accounts measure expenditure flows, not disease prevalence.
- Government health expenditure may include Union, state, and local spending.
- Insurance coverage and actual financial protection are not identical.
MCQ 1
Out-of-pocket health expenditure is paid:
- A. Directly by households when receiving care
- B. Only by foreign donors
- C. Only through tax refunds
- D. Only by hospitals
Reveal answerHide answer
A
It is direct household spending not reimbursed by a third-party payer.
MCQ 2
National Health Accounts primarily describe:
- A. Health-financing flows
- B. Rainfall patterns
- C. Election expenditure
- D. Crop production
Reveal answerHide answer
A
They organise expenditure by financing source, scheme, provider, and function.
Mains
Question, 10 marks, 150 words: How do National Health Accounts help assess progress toward universal health coverage?
Approach:
- Explain financing sources and expenditure functions.
- Discuss out-of-pocket burden and risk pooling.
- Note distributional limits of national averages.
- Suggest timely state-level accounts and outcome links.