Wed Oct 30 05:47:33 UTC 2024: ## Modi Launches Health Cards for Seniors, Expanding Ayushman Bharat Scheme

**New Delhi:** Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched health cards under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) on [Date of Launch], providing health coverage to all individuals aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income. This expansion of the scheme, dubbed “Ayushman Vaya Vandana,” is expected to revolutionize healthcare access for India’s rapidly aging population.

Each beneficiary will receive a cover of Rs 5 lakh annually, shared within the family. The scheme is available nationwide, except in Delhi and Bengal, which have not adopted Ayushman Bharat.

“The elderly people, who always had anxieties about their healthcare because of costs, can now live with swabhimaan (dignity),” said Modi.

To access the coverage, individuals need to register on the PM-JAY portal or Ayushman app, even those with existing Ayushman cards.

This move is significant as India’s population is rapidly aging. The government estimates that by 2050, 19.5% of the population will be over 60, with the number of individuals over 60 reaching 319 million, more than triple the number in 2011.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme already provides universal health coverage, but this is the first age cohort to receive complete coverage. The scheme will cover almost 6 crore individuals from 4.5 crore families.

Individuals covered under existing government health schemes, such as CGHS or Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, can choose between Ayushman Bharat or their existing coverage. Those covered under ESIC will be eligible for both their existing cover and Ayushman Bharat. People with private health insurance can also avail Ayushman Bharat cover.

Families already covered under the scheme will receive a top-up cover of Rs 5 lakh for members over 70 years, requiring them to re-register.

The initial outlay from the Centre for the expansion will be Rs 3,437 crore, covering the costs for the next 18 months. Experts estimate the cost of expanding the coverage to all persons over 70 years would be higher than that for covering the poorest 40 per cent across all age groups.

The Prime Minister also announced the pan-India rollout of the U-WIN portal for digitising routine vaccinations.

Read More