Union Cabinet approves health cover for all aged 70 and above
- The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved health coverage to all the senior citizens aged 70 and above irrespective of income.
Highlights:
- On September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the extension of health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income status.
- This scheme will benefit approximately 4.5 crore families, covering six crore senior citizens with a free health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family.
Key Features of the Scheme
- Free Health Insurance: Every senior citizen aged 70 and above will be entitled to ₹5 lakh health insurance per year, either on a family basis or as an additional top-up for those already covered by the scheme.
- Distinct Cards: Eligible seniors will be issued a new distinct health card under the AB PM-JAY.
- Top-Up Coverage: Senior citizens already covered under AB PM-JAY will receive an additional ₹5 lakh top-up for themselves, which will not be shared with family members under 70 years of age.
Existing Health Schemes and Options
- Senior citizens aged 70 and above who are part of other health insurance schemes like CGHS, ECHS, and Ayushman CAPF can choose between their existing scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY.
- Those under private health insurance or the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) scheme will also be eligible for AB PM-JAY benefits.
Global Scale of AB PM-JAY
- AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme, offering ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospital care. The scheme covers 55 crore individuals from 12.34 crore families across India. As of now, 7.37 crore hospital admissions have been recorded, with 49% of beneficiaries being women. Over ₹1 lakh crore has been spent on healthcare benefits.
Continuous Expansion of Beneficiaries
- Initially, AB PM-JAY targeted 10.74 crore families from the poorest 40% of India's population.
- In January 2022, the government expanded the coverage to 12 crore families due to population growth.
- Additionally, 37 lakh ASHA, Anganwadi, and healthcare workers were included for free healthcare coverage.
- The scheme now covers all senior citizens aged 70 and above with ₹5 lakh health insurance, extending its reach nationwide.
Broader Impact
- The expansion of the AB PM-JAY scheme aligns with the BJP’s electoral promise to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage to vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, ensuring access to essential healthcare without financial burden. This move is expected to significantly enhance the healthcare security of senior citizens in India.
Prelims Takeaways:
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana