Cuttack: Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday inaugurated the distribution of the new unified Ayushman Card—combining the benefits of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and state-sponsored Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana — at Bali Jatra ground in Cuttack.
The event also witnessed the launch of Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, which provides Rs 5 lakh free health cover to all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their socio-economic status.
Speaking on the occasion, Nadda said that this scheme is built on trust, hence it is termed as an ‘assurance’ scheme, not an insurance scheme. “No insurance company will decide whether a beneficiary can avail cashless treatment. Doctors of the 30,000 registered hospital will take a call on it,” he said.
He further stated that Odisha was among the three states, besides Delhi and West Bengal, that had refused to implement the central scheme. “We requested the former CM on several occasions. I even asked senior BJP leader Jual Oram to speak to him. But Naveen Babu didn’t listen — not to us, not even to the people of Odisha. His ego stopped him from implementing such a life-saving scheme to the state,” said Nadda, adding, which is why people of the state voted the BJD out of power.
Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majh, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, among others, attended the launch ceremony.
The Health Schemes
The AB-PMJAY will be implemented in the state by integrating it with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), earlier known as Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). Around 3.5 crore people from 1.03 crore families in the state will benefit from the scheme, which will provide insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family with additional Rs 5 lakh for women members. The beneficiaries will get free cash-less treatment in 29,000 registered private and government hospitals across the country. Earlier, only 900 hospitals were empanelled under BSKY.
Under the Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, all persons aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, will be eligible for coverage. They will be provided with a separate card.
A family with a member aged 70 or above will get total health coverage of Rs 15 lakh.
Last month, the state cabinet approved a budgetary allocation of Rs 27,019 crore for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat and GJAY for a period of five years.
