New Delhi: In a major policy shift, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the inclusion of senior citizens over 70 years of age under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the decision, highlighting its humanitarian approach.
“This is a very big decision,” Vaishnaw said after the Cabinet meeting. “There is a great humanitarian thinking in this decision. They will get the facility of free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh, and this will cover about 4.5 crore families in the country, which will include about 6 crore senior citizens.”
According to news agency PTI, the Cabinet’s nod extends health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, irrespective of their income.Eligible senior citizens would be issued a new distinct card under the scheme.
“Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above belonging to families already covered under AB PM-JAY to get an additional top-up cover up to 75 lakh per annum for themselves,” the government said.
“Senior citizens of the age 70 years and above who are already availing benefits of other public health insurance schemes may either choose their existing scheme or opt for AB PMJAY,” the government added.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) aims to provide health cover of Rs 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.34 crore families constituting the bottom 40 per cent of India’s population.
The Cabinet also approved PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme with an outlay of Rs.10,900 crore over a period of two years.
Union Govt extends universal health coverage to senior citizens over 70, no income barrier added by Webdesk on
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