The Union Cabinet has expanded the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to offer health coverage to all citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of their income level. This move marks a significant shift in public healthcare and provides much-needed relief to India’s growing elderly population, who often face financial strain due to high medical costs. The scheme aims to address the healthcare needs of senior citizens, ensuring better access to treatment and reducing the disease burden.
Current Scheme and its Expansion
Previously, the Ayushman Bharat scheme was income-based, providing Rs 5 lakh in annual shared health coverage for the bottom 40% of the population, irrespective of age. With the new extension, senior citizens aged 70 and above will now be eligible for Rs 5 lakh in annual coverage per family. This expansion is expected to benefit an additional 6 crore individuals in this age group from 4.5 crore families, according to a government statement. Eligible beneficiaries will also receive new health cards under the PM-JAY scheme.
Who Can Benefit from the Extended Scheme?
According to the government, senior citizens aged 70 and above who are part of families already covered under AB PM-JAY will be eligible for an additional top-up cover of up to Rs 5 lakh annually, shared among eligible family members. This is a significant step towards enhancing social security for senior citizens, particularly as the structure of Indian families transitions to smaller, nuclear units.
Senior citizens currently covered under other public health insurance schemes such as the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), or Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can choose to either continue with their existing coverage or switch to AB PM-JAY. Those covered by private health insurance or the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) will also be eligible for the new benefits.
How is Coverage Shared in a Family?
Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that the health coverage will be shared between eligible senior family members. For example, if a family has two senior citizens aged 70 or above, the Rs 5 lakh coverage will be divided between them. This ensures that senior citizens receive comprehensive health support, even as India shifts toward nuclear family structures, which can make it harder for the elderly to rely on younger family members for financial and medical aid.
Significance of the Scheme’s Expansion
While Ayushman Bharat has always aimed for universal health coverage, this extension marks the first time a specific age group will receive full health coverage. This step is vital as India’s population of senior citizens continues to rise. By offering dedicated health protection to those aged 70 and above, the government is addressing an urgent need for healthcare security among the elderly.
Government’s Investment in Health Coverage
The initial budget for rolling out the expanded scheme stands at Rs 3,437 crore. Vaishnaw highlighted that the scheme is demand-driven, meaning coverage will increase as demand rises. Experts estimate that the cost of covering all individuals over the age of 70 will be higher than the current cost of covering the poorest 40% of the population across all age groups.
Most states will bear 40% of the financial burden, while the Centre is expected to cover 90% of the costs for states in hilly and northeastern regions. A senior official indicated that further details will be worked out during the implementation phase of the scheme.
Addressing India’s Growing Disease Burden
As India’s population ages, the demand for healthcare services is expected to rise significantly. According to the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI), the percentage of the population aged 60 and above is projected to grow from 8.6% in 2011 to 19.5% by 2050. In absolute numbers, this represents a rise from 103 million elderly individuals in 2011 to 319 million by 2050. Currently, only around 20% of this age group has health coverage, as reported in the India Ageing Report 2023.
The expansion of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY to include citizens aged 70 and above is a crucial step in addressing the healthcare needs of the elderly. By offering substantial health coverage, the scheme aims to alleviate the financial burden associated with managing chronic diseases, expensive medical treatments, and therapies, thereby improving the overall quality of life for senior citizens in India.
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