Table 7 Fiscal policy intervention and health programme initiatives across political regimes

1998–1999

Mr Yashwant Sinha

NDA

Decentralization and expenditure restructuring

Plan allocation for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) increased but was not prioritized

1999–2000

Mr Yashwant Sinha

NDA

Expenditure management

The National Human Development Initiative (NHDI)

2000–2001

Mr Yashwant Sinha

NDA

Introduced a single-rate central value-added tax (CENVAT), and medical items were exempted

National population policy and recognizing Indian systems of medicine

2001–2002

Mr Yashwant Sinha

NDA

Fiscal consolidation measures to reduce the fiscal deficit

Recognized the need for investment in the social sector

2002–03

Mr Yashwant Sinha

NDA

Introduced Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act (FRBM) bill for fiscal consolidation

Increase allocation in the Indian system of medicine

2003–2004

Mr Jaswant Singh

NDA

Fiscal consolidation and debt management

Introduced the community-based Universal Health Insurance Scheme

2004–2005

Mr P. Chidambaram

UPA

Special economic packages were announced for poor states to improve their fiscal position

Group health insurance schemes under the national common minimum programme

2005–2006

Mr P. Chidambaram

UPA

Implemented 12th Finance Commission recommendations on tax sharing and grants to states

Launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) programme

2006–2007

Mr P. Chidambaram

UPA

Modernization of tax administration

Strengthening the NRHM at the block level

2007–2008

Mr P. Chidambaram

UPA

Introduced national-level goods and services tax (GST)

11th 5-year target to increase health expenditure to 2–3% of GDP

2008–2009

Mr P. Chidambaram

UPA

Sustained growth rate and high fiscal revenue collection

Introduced the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) insurance scheme and the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly

2009–2010

Mr Pranab Mukherjee

UPA

Increase tax effort through administrative measures

Introduced the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)

2010–2011

Mr Pranab Mukherjee

UPA

Consolidating growth and tax reforms through GST

Prepared district health profiles of all districts through the Inclusive Development programme

2011–2012

Mr Pranab Mukherjee

UPA

High growth and many social welfare schemes introduced

RSBY scheme extended to Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) beneficiaries

2012–2013

Mr Pranab Mukherjee

UPA

Implement the Medium-term Expenditure Framework

Launched Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)

2013–2014

Mr P. Chidambaram

UPA

Emphasis on creating fiscal space by reducing the fiscal deficit, current account deficit

National Health Mission introduced by adding National Urban Health Mission

2014–2015

Mr Arun Jaitley

NDA

Minimum government and maximum governance approach for expenditure management

Health for All initiatives; Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

2015–2016

Mr Arun Jaitley

NDA

Good governance initiatives

Improving the quality of life and public health through

Swachh Bharat initiatives

2016–2017

Mr Arun Jaitley

NDA

Governance and fiscal discipline; simplification and rationalization of taxation

Niramaya health insurance scheme and PMJAY health insurance scheme launched

2017–2018

Mr Arun Jaitley

NDA

Measures for stimulating growth; transparency in electoral funding and GST implementation

Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas empower rural women with health and nutrition, employment

2018–2019

Mr Arun Jaitley

NDA

Introduced health and education cess

National Health Protection Scheme

2019–2020

Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman

NDA

Measures to widen and deepen the tax base

Health society through Ayushman Bharat initiatives

2020–2021

Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman

NDA

Digital governance

A holistic vision of healthcare for wellness, water and sanitation

2021–2022

Mrs Nirmala Sitharaman

NDA

Atma Nirbhar packages for structural reform

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMJAY) during lockdown due to COVID-19