Modi launches world’s largest insurance plan
AYUSHMAN BHARAT Scheme to cover 107.4 mn families NEW DELHI:
Six months after it was announced in this year’s Union Budget, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched his government’s flagship Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB-PMJAY) in Jharkhand’s capital Ranchi.
The scheme, which aims to provide an annual cover of ₹5 lakh to 107.4 million per poor and vulnerable families, was simultaneously launched in 476 districts across 26 states.
It is the world’s largest publicfunded health insurance programme, and, if implemented successfully, would be one of the most important schemes of the Modi government across sectors.
To mark the formal launch of the scheme, five people were distributed golden e-cards to acknowledge them as beneficiaries.
Ayushman Bharat, also described as ‘Modicare’ – on the lines of President Barack Obama’s ‘Obamacare’ Affordable Care Act – has 1,350 procedures covering pre- and post-hospital care, diagnostics and medicines in government and private empanelled hospitals.
It will cover cancer surgeries, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, cardiac surgeries, stents; neuro (brain) surgeries, spine surgeries, dental surgeries, eye surgeries, and specialised tests such as MRIs and CT scans, among others.
“We have achieved the launch in just six months. We were working in a timebound manner and managed to bring together nearly 13,000 hospitals to be a part of this mega healthcare delivery initiative, and benefit the poor. I congratulate my entire team,” Modi said during the launch.
Expressing his gratitude to the PM for choosing his state to formally launch the scheme, Jhark-