Ayushman Bharat Scheme Implemented in West Bengal: PM Modi Welcomes Move
Prime Minister welcomes West Bengal's decision to join the national health insurance scheme.
Source: GNews Welfare PolicyPrime Minister Narendra Modi has welcomed West Bengal's decision to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) in the state. This move will provide health insurance benefits to eligible families in West Bengal. The scheme aims to offer financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures, ensuring access to quality healthcare for the poor and vulnerable sections of society. West Bengal had previously opted out of the scheme, but its re-entry is expected to significantly expand the reach of the national health program.
- Ayushman Bharat PMJAY provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
- The scheme covers over 1,949 medical procedures, including critical illnesses and pre-existing diseases.
- Beneficiaries can avail cashless and paperless services at empanelled public and private hospitals across India.
- West Bengal had initially joined the scheme in 2018 but withdrew in 2019, citing issues with funding and branding.
- The re-implementation will benefit approximately 1.1 crore families in West Bengal, as per initial estimates.
A national health protection scheme launched by the Government of India. It provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable families.
The apex body responsible for implementing Ayushman Bharat PMJAY. It is an attached office of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and is responsible for policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring of the scheme.
Exams frequently ask about the objectives, features, and target beneficiaries of major government welfare schemes like Ayushman Bharat.
Ayushman Bharat: 'AYUSH' sounds like 'I wish' for good health. 'BHARAT' means India. So, 'I wish for good health for all of India's poor'.