PM Modi Applauds Odisha's Ayushman Bharat Rollout

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has congratulated the people of Odisha following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in the state.

The agreement, between the National Health Authority and Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Department, aims to offer affordable healthcare to millions in the eastern state.

PM Modi highlighted the scheme’s potential to deliver high-quality healthcare, particularly benefiting women and the elderly.

In response to a post by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on X, the Prime Minister stated, “Congratulations to the people of Odisha! It was indeed a travesty that my sisters and brothers of Odisha were denied the benefits of Ayushman Bharat by the previous government. This scheme will ensure the highest-quality healthcare at affordable rates. It will particularly benefit the Nari Shakti and the elderly of Odisha.”

Chief Minister Majhi expressed gratitude to PM Modi, noting the scheme’s transformative potential. “I express my heartfelt gratitude to Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodiji for bringing Odisha on board this transformative scheme, which is focused on providing quality and affordable healthcare for all. In Odisha, beneficiaries will have access to cashless treatment at over 30,000 government and private hospitals across the country. Nearly 3 crore individuals from 1.3 crore families are set to benefit from this initiative,” Majhi wrote.

Further, the Odisha CM also announced the establishment of Ayushman Bharat Mandirs in every Panchayat to enhance healthcare accessibility in rural areas.

Wth this, Odisha becomes the 34th state to implement AB PM-JAY, which will integrate with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).

Key Benefits of AB PM-JAY

- INR 5 lakh annual coverage per family for secondary and tertiary care at public and private impaneled hospitals nationwide.

- Women in Odisha receive enhanced insurance coverage of INR 10 lakh.

- Cashless healthcare services, covering three days pre-hospitalization and 15 days post-hospitalization, including diagnostics and medications.

- All pre-existing conditions are covered with no restrictions on family size, age, or gender.

- Covers nearly 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialties, including major surgeries like bypass and knee replacements.

- Includes costs for medications, supplies, diagnostics, physician fees, room charges, and surgeries.

- Continuous medical care for senior citizens above 70, with access to treatment at over 29,000 hospitals nationwide.

The combined schemes will offer coverage of INR 5 lakh per family annually, with an additional INR 5 lakh for women. Approximately 1.03 crore families will benefit, with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union government.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda described the day as historic, said, “AB PM-JAY is not only the world’s largest health coverage scheme but also the fastest to be implemented since conception.” He added that the scheme has provided healthcare to approximately 45% of India’s population, with 8.19 crore hospital admissions recorded and Rs 1.13 lakh crore spent on healthcare for the poor since its inception.

Additionally, CM Majhi acknowledged previous political hindrances that kept Odisha out of the scheme, stressing the state government's commitment to rectifying the situation and ensuring comprehensive healthcare coverage for its people.

He noted that the convergence of GJAY and AB PM-JAY would benefit around 4.5 crore people in Odisha.He noted that the convergence of GJAY and AB PM-JAY would benefit around 4.5 crore people in Odisha.He noted that the convergence of GJAY and AB PM-JAY would benefit around 4.5 crore people in Odisha.

“People from our state, who were previously receiving treatment in around 900 empaneled hospitals, will now have access to cashless and quality treatment in over 29,000 government and private empaneled hospitals,” Odisha CM Majhi added.“People from our state, who were previously receiving treatment in around 900 empaneled hospitals, will now have access to cashless and quality treatment in over 29,000 government and private empaneled hospitals,” Odisha CM Majhi added.

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