Agencies
AHMEDABAD, Jan 18: 'Ayushman Bharat' has brought 6 crore citizens aged 70 and above under it, and the Centre's flagship health insurance programme now covers over 45 per cent of India's population, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said here Saturday.
The Union Cabinet in October last year approved health coverage to all citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income under the 'Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana' (AB PM-JAY).
"Under Modi 3.0, we have added 6 crore people above 70 under Ayushman Bharat. Now, more than 62 crore people, or over 45 per cent of India's population, are covered, not in health insurance but under a 'health assurance' scheme with an annual coverage of Rs 5 lakh," he said.
Speaking at the 'IIMA Healthcare Summit 2025' organised at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, he called the scheme a game changer and said it has benefited more than 4.2 crore citizens.
"These are poor people - rickshaw pullers, street vendors, bus drivers, conductors, lift men, security guards, barbers, shoemakers - who perhaps would never have thought about caring for their health," Nadda said.
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