Explain the role of Ayushman Bharat Scheme in ensuring smooth treatment of poor households.

“Health for all is not a dream, but a national responsibility.”

- National Health Policy, 2017

Launched in 2018, the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance program, aiming to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and reduce catastrophic out-of-pocket expenditure.

Key Features and Role:

Financial Protection:

• Provides cashless treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for over 12 crore vulnerable households (about 55 crore people).
• Covers 1,500+ procedures, including tertiary care like cardiac surgery and cancer treatment.

Accessibility:

• Over 26,000 empanelled hospitals (government and private) provide treatment with e-cards and digital claim processing.
• Special focus on Tier-2 and rural hospitals.

Digital Governance:

• The National Health Authority (NHA) uses real-time data and biometric verification for transparency.
• The Health ID under Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) links patient data for seamless treatment.

Impact:

• By 2024, 6 crore hospital admissions worth ₹75,000 crore have been processed (NHA Report, 2024).
• Beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket expenditure dropped by 65% in covered states.

Example:

• Under Ayushman Bharat Chirayu Haryana Scheme, about 29 lakh families are covered.
• The scheme’s expansion to families with annual income up to ₹1.8 lakh has improved hospital access in districts like Hisar and Ambala.

Ayushman Bharat has democratized healthcare access by converting health expenditure into a right, not a privilege. With robust digital infrastructure and state coordination, it stands as a model of inclusive health governance.