Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched health insurance coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, under his government’s flagship initiative Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
During an event at All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi, coinciding with Dhanvantari Jayanti and the 9th Ayurveda Day, PM Modi handed over the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card to the beneficiaries. The launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme for senior citizens above 70 years was announced last month.
#WATCH | Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi hands over Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card to the beneficiaries pic.twitter.com/hWdrtCD0G4
— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2024
“Prime Minister @narendramodi launches the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to extend healthcare coverage to all citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of socio-economic status. This ensures accessible and affordable care for all senior citizens,” read a post by the Press Information Bureau on X.
Setting new standards in healthcare accessibility and inclusivity, the scheme offers exclusive coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for free treatment.
West Bengal, Delhi Excluded: Here’s Why
Citing the scheme structure, under which the Centre funds 60 per cent cost of the coverage and the state bears 40 per cent, West Bengal and Delhi have refused to implement the scheme since 2019.
The government heads of the respective states have refused to bear the 40 per cent cost of the scheme and instead have shown interest in implementing the health scheme after their Chief Minister’s name.
Addressing the public event in New Delhi, PM Modi said that the governments of Delhi and West Bengal are not joining the Ayushman Yojana.
“I apologize to all the elderly people above 70 years of age in Delhi and West Bengal that I will not be able to serve you. The tendency to oppress the sick people of your state for your political interests is against any humane attitude and hence I apologize to the elderly people of West Bengal and Delhi,” said PM Modi.