Over the past eleven years, India’s healthcare landscape has undergone a steady transformation that, while less visible than other reforms, has significantly altered how millions of middle-class families access and afford medical care. Through a mix of public schemes and a robust digital infrastructure, the Government has worked to ensure that quality healthcare is no longer out of reach for those who once struggled with soaring costs and bureaucratic delays.
The shift has been particularly meaningful for the middle class, a segment often caught between costly private treatment and limited access to government welfare. Today, timely medical intervention, low-cost medicines, and even hospitalisation support have become easier to access, thanks to a range of initiatives that combine digital delivery with public sector outreach. Health expenses, once a major worry for middle-income households, are now more predictable and manageable.
At the heart of this change is the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), now widely regarded as one of the largest publicly funded health assurance programmes in the world. As of May 30, 2025, more than 41 crore Ayushman Cards had been issued across 33 States and Union Territories. These cards have facilitated over 8.5 crore hospital admissions, amounting to ₹1.19 lakh crore in treatment costs covered under the scheme. The initiative has enabled access to secondary and tertiary healthcare without driving families into debt.
A network of nearly 32,000 empanelled hospitals supports the programme, ensuring that beneficiaries can receive treatment across both public and private sectors. On October 29, 2024, the Government expanded the scheme to cover all senior citizens aged 70 and above, irrespective of income. For many elderly members of the middle class, this move has meant the ability to access hospital care without burdening family finances.
Alongside hospital care, the affordability of essential medicines has seen a dramatic shift through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). Launched with just 80 outlets in 2014, the scheme today operates through 16,469 Jan Aushadhi Kendras nationwide. These centres offer generic medicines at prices 50 to 80 percent lower than branded counterparts, with quality guaranteed through WHO-GMP certified suppliers.
Serving an estimated 10 to 12 lakh people daily, the Jan Aushadhi network has become an essential part of the healthcare routine for families managing chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. The product range now includes 2,110 medicines and 315 surgical items, covering most major health needs. According to official estimates, the scheme has resulted in cumulative savings of over ₹38,000 crore since its expansion—an outcome that has made a meaningful difference to household budgets.