The modest economic growth in Uttar Pradesh over the last decade has not resulted in the betterment in the health and well-being of the people. This study is based on a household survey undertaken in three representative districts to understand the contribution that the provision of healthcare makes to the iniquitous nature of economic growth in the state. By assessing the incidence and intensity of catastrophic expenditures on health by analysing their consumption patterns we find that there is an impoverishing effect that out-of-pocket healthcare expenditures have on the people of the state.