Prime Minister Narendra Modi started a new program under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) to give free health insurance to everyone aged 70 and older. This program aims to provide healthcare support to elderly people all over India, no matter how much money they have or what their background is. With this plan, each elderly person can receive medical treatment worth up to₹5 lakh every year, ensuring they can get important healthcare services without worrying about the cost. 

The launch took place at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA) in New Delhi on a special day called Dhanvantari Jayanti, which is also the 9th Ayurveda Day. At the event, Prime Minister Modi gave Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to some of the first people to benefit from this program. This new part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, announced last month, aims to make healthcare more inclusive and easier to access for elderly people, especially those who might need it.

The Press Information Bureau shared details of the scheme on X, explaining that it aims to bring "accessible and affordable care for all senior citizens." With this coverage, the government is working to create a healthcare system that reaches everyone, especially those who may not have the means to pay for expensive treatments. 

Why are Delhi and West Bengal not included?

Even though this health scheme is available across India, the states of West Bengal and Delhi have decided not to take part in it. The Ayushman Bharat program is set up so that the central government pays 60% of the costs, and each state government needs to pay the remaining 40%. However, since 2019, West Bengal and Delhi have not agreed to pay their share. Instead, they are interested in starting their similar health programs but with the names of their chief ministers. 

PM Modi spoke about why Delhi and West Bengal are not included in the scheme. He said he felt sorry that he couldn’t provide this health coverage to elderly people in these states. He apologized to the seniors in Delhi and West Bengal and criticized the choice of putting politics ahead of healthcare needs. 

"I apologise to all the elderly people above 70 years of age in Delhi and West Bengal that I will not be able to serve you. The tendency to oppress the sick people of your state for your political interests is against any humane attitude, and hence I apologise to the elderly people of West Bengal and Delhi," said PM Modi. 
“I can serve the people of the country, but the walls of the political profession are preventing me from serving the elderly people of Delhi and West Bengal,” he added. 

Besides launching a health insurance program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced new healthcare projects worth almost ₹12,850 crores on Tuesday. 
He opened the second phase of India’s first All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi. This includes a special hospital for Panchakarma treatments, a pharmacy to make Ayurvedic medicines, a sports medicine center, a big library, a center to support IT and new businesses, and an auditorium with 500 seats. 

PM Modi also started using drones at 11 major hospitals to help make healthcare more available to people. The drones will make it faster and easier to deliver health services where they’re needed.