Healthcare for All: GST Reform Sparks Hope for Cheaper Treatment

The Government of India has introduced major reforms to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) to make healthcare more affordable for all people in India. The reform is part of the government’s vision of “Affordable Healthcare for All” and aligns with other initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, Poshan Abhiyaan and the Fit India Movement.

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, in a post shared on Platform X, outlined that this GST rationalisation aims to ease the lives of common people and grow the economy. Union Health Minister Shri JP Nadda and Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman also appreciated the reforms. Here are the key highlights of the GST Reform in Healthcare Sector

Reduced Tax on Medicines and Devices

The GST on Medical products such as anaesthetics, medical-grade oxygen, gauze, bandages, diagnostic kits, surgical gloves, glucometers, thermometers, and other appliances has been reduced to 5% from 12%. More than half of the GST has been reduced on such products to lower the cost of healthcare facilities in hospitals, diagnostic centres, and clinics.

Tax Relief on Medicines 

The GST has been reduced on the essential medicines from 12% to 5% or Nil. This is a major relief for the taxpayers who have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. Services for treatment or disposal of biomedical waste also lowered from 12% to 5%. This will make treatment affordable for patients and lower costs for hospitals and clinics.

Insurance 

The Individual health insurance policies, including family floaters and senior citizen plans, have been exempted from GST, meaning there will be no GST on them.

Affordable Vision Care

The GST on eyeglasses, spectacle lenses, and contact lenses has been cut from 12% to 5%. This will be very beneficial for the students and senior citizens and will improve productivity. This makes insurance cheaper, especially for middle-class families.

Healthy Food at Lower Costs

GST has been exempted on certain daily nutrition items like UHT milk and paneer. GST on dry fruits and diabetic food has been cut from 12% to 5%. The fruit pulp of juice drinks will be taxed at 5% now. This move promotes better nutrition for families, especially for women, children, and senior citizens.

Boost to Fitness

The GST charged on gyms and fitness centres has been reduced from 18% to 5%, making fitness more affordable for everyone. It also supports the Fit India Movement.

However, to promote healthy living, there will be no GST cuts on sin goods and sugary drinks.