New Delhi: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh for senior citizens aged 70 and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This landmark decision is set to benefit 4.5 crore families across India, providing financial support for critical health care without considering socio-economic status.#WATCH | After the Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, It has been decided to cover our senior citizens who are more than 70 years old under universal health coverage, Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana. This is a very big decision. There is a great… pic.twitter.com/LwwMgiSx3Z— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2024Extended coverage for senior citizensUnion Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ashwini Vaishnaw, confirmed that this initiative will offer healthcare benefits to all senior citizens regardless of income level. Eligible seniors will receive a special card under AB PM-JAY, enabling them to access free medical services. Those already enrolled in the scheme will get an additional ₹5 lakh per annum specifically for the elderly members of their families. Furthermore, senior citizens benefiting from other public health schemes can either continue their current coverage or opt for this enhanced plan.The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the health coverage to all the senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the flagship scheme Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This aims to benefit… pic.twitter.com/zsHyngZq4n— ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2024Ayushman Bharat: A lifeline for millionsThe Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is the worlds largest publicly funded health insurance program. It provides ₹5 lakh per family annually, covering secondary and tertiary care hospitalizations. With over 55 crore individuals already benefiting, the scheme aims to make healthcare more accessible to vulnerable families.So far, 7.37 crore hospital admissions have been covered under AB PM-JAY, with 49% of the beneficiaries being women. The total public benefit through this program has exceeded ₹1 lakh crore. This latest expansion of the scheme is expected to offer much-needed relief to senior citizens, ensuring they receive essential healthcare without financial strain.
