Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in budget for fiscal year 2018-19, has announced the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS), which seeks to provide health insurance cover worth Rs. 5 lakh per family to over 10 crore economically vulnerable families. Approximately 50 crore beneficiaries are expected to avail this scheme. The government has allocated Rs. 2,000 crore for this scheme. While critics have questioned its implementation, experts welcomed India's attempt towards universal health coverage.
