For many years, the poor had been considered an uninsurable group both for the hazards they face, as well as for their inability or unwillingness to pay for what many considered an unpredictable gamble. However, programs known as micro health insurance have been increasing in numbers in Asia and Africa in regions that lack public health planning. These nonprofit programs aim to provide quality healthcare at low premiums on a community-wide scale to the poor. Currently there are 5 to 10 million people enrolled in micro health insurance programs in India. These vary widely in size and scope; some only have a few thousand members, others several hundred thousand.
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