Odisha to launch unified health insurance scheme

In a landmark step towards universal healthcare, Odisha will launch a unified health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, today. Union Health Minister JP Nadda will unveil the scheme at an event in Cuttack this afternoon.

Besides the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the state government’s health scheme, Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, and the newly introduced Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, aimed at senior citizens, will also be integrated into this initiative. Government sources said that with this integration, around three crore fifty-two lakh people from one



crore eight lakh families will be covered under the combined scheme. Beneficiaries will gain access to free, cashless treatment in more than 29 thousand government and private hospitals across the country. 

The combined scheme will provide health coverage of 5 lakh rupees per family per annum, with an additional 5 lakh rupees for women members. Over 1,400 Primary Healthcare Centres will join the event virtually via video conferencing. District-level programs will be held simultaneously, with state ministers attending and addressing gatherings across the state.