Does the expanded eligibility of conditional cash transfers enhance healthcare use among socio-economically disadvantaged mothers in India?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The conditional cash transfer programme in India, the Janani Suraksha Yojana JSY), was introduced in 2005 to encourage women to give birth at health institutions. The JSY targeted women of disadvantaged socio-economic status. In November 2006, along with increased cash incentive, eligibility was expanded in ten low-performing states to all the women. However, this expansion could potentially have contributed to steepening the pro-rich gradients of healthcare utilisation. This paper estimates the impacts of this policy reform and shows that while the policy reform increases maternal healthcare use, it does not show impacts more favourable for women with advantageous socio-economic backgrounds.