look news india
The central government has further expanded the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Now all senior citizens above 70 years of age will get the benefit of this scheme. Under this, treatment up to Rs 5 lakh can be availed free of cost every year. The Modi cabinet has approved this decision on Wednesday. According to the government, 6 crore senior citizens will get the benefit of this scheme. About 4.5 crore families of the country will participate in it.
Big decision of Modi cabinet
In a briefing after the Union Cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav said that initially Rs 3,437 crore will be spent on this scheme. As people join this scheme, its scope will increase. The government said that all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their financial status, will be able to benefit from this scheme. A separate new card will be issued for them. Families who are already covered under Ayushman will get an additional cover of Rs 5 lakh per year for senior citizens above 70 years of age. Other family members will not be able to use it.
Let us tell you that senior citizens aged 70 years or above who are already covered under other public health insurance schemes like Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), Ayushman Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) can either choose their current scheme or opt for AB PM-JAY. The government has also clarified that senior citizens aged 70 years or above who are covered under private health insurance policy or Employees State Insurance Scheme will be eligible to avail benefits under AB PM-JAY.