Elderly Patients Hope for Relief in Budget Amid Stagnating Healthcare System

Chennai: As the annual Union Budget is slated to be announced on February 1, elderly patients and aged citizens are eagerly awaiting news that could alleviate their financial burden when it comes to mounting medical bills and taxes. The GST (Goods and Services Tax) on healthcare facilities has become a major concern for numerous pensioners who barely scrap by.

"We're praying for some respite from the GST on health insurance policies," said K Gopal, a 70-year-old resident of Kolathur, who worries that they will continue to lose their hard-earned savings to soaring medical costs. "At least, consider exempting senior citizens with no income source."

For pensioners, the scenario is particularly bleak, as inflation and increasing healthcare prices consume more of their dwindling income. Another pressing issue is the rising cost of medicines.

Nitin Gadkari, Cabinet colleague of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, recently echoed concerns from medical professionals: the country needs to rethink its 18% GST rate on health insurance. According to Dr G R Ravindranth, President of the Doctors' Association for Social Equality, at least 60% of healthcare spending comes out-of-pocket expenses, far from the government's national health policy guidelines.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme only partially addresses a broader public health crisis. Insiders suggest that improving underfunding and shoddy public healthcare systems disproportionately affect low-income communities.

"We must support an expanded budget allocation for healthcare," Dr Ravindranth urged, adding emphasis on affordable generic medication sales through the sector. Experts stress the significance of healthcare spending at 5% GDP to bring the costs within a reach of common Indians.

Citizens like M Somasundaram and V Gopalakrishnan have already been vocal about needed changes: withdrawal of GST from premiums and enhanced IT-exemption benefits under Section 80D.

This year's budget must therefore meet certain key expectations, from those affected by the failing healthcare system.