PM Modi welcomes West Bengal rollout of Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the West Bengal state government's decision to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme on May 12, citing it as a milestone in expanding universal health coverage. Under the flagship programme, eligible households will receive health‑insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year, covering secondary and tertiary care across a network of public and private hospitals.
Ayushman Bharat, launched in 2018, aims to provide financial protection to the poorest 40 percent of India’s population. West Bengal, with a population of over 90 million, has previously lagged in enrollment numbers, prompting the central government to urge accelerated rollout. The move aligns with the Ministry of Health’s broader goal of achieving a “healthy India” by 2030.
The Hindu’s report quoted Modi as saying, “The health of our citizens is the foundation of our nation’s progress, and West Bengal’s adoption of Ayushman Bharat demonstrates our shared commitment to inclusive growth.” State Health Minister Dr. Kalyan Banerjee added, “We have identified 1.4 crore eligible families and will ensure seamless enrollment through online portals and local health centres.” Reuters, cited elsewhere, noted that the scheme has already benefitted 10 crore families nationwide, with a cumulative claim payout exceeding $30 billion.
Policy analysts warn that successful implementation will depend on strengthening the state’s primary health infrastructure and ensuring awareness among beneficiaries. Dr. Sujata Rao, a health economist at the Indian Institute of Public Health, observed, “While the funding allocation is robust, logistical challenges such as hospital empanelment and claim processing could hinder the scheme’s impact if not addressed promptly.”
The rollout is scheduled to begin on June 1, with an initial enrollment drive targeting 30 districts. Officials will monitor claim submissions and hospital participation weekly, with the central Ministry planning a joint review meeting in August. Stakeholders will watch for any bottlenecks in the registration process, which could affect the scale of coverage by the end of the fiscal year.