The Ayushman Bharat scheme will be expanded to include all senior citizens up to the age of 70 years.
Recently, the Modi government has made some changes in the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The Union Cabinet has approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 years and above under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). This decision will benefit around 6 crore senior citizens from 4.5 crore families, who will get free health coverage up to Rs 5 lakh. This is a significant initiative in itself, because only a few countries in the world have such comprehensive health insurance plans. So let us take a look at the schemes of those countries, which are considered to be copies of this Modi government scheme.
These countries also run such schemes.
- Talking about the ‘National Health Service (NHS)’ of Britain, it provides free healthcare services to all British citizens. It is funded by the government through taxes. Under the NHS, facilities such as hospitalization, medicines, and dental treatments are available free of cost.
- In the United States, under the Medicare program, people over 65 and young people with certain illnesses receive health services. The expenses are deducted from people’s wages and they also have to pay a portion themselves. This includes hospitalization, doctor visits, and other medical services.
- In Canada, free health services are provided to all citizens and permanent residents under the “Canada Health Act”. The costs of these services are primarily borne by the provincial and territorial governments, while the federal government also contributes. This includes hospitalization, medical services, and medications.
- The Australian plan ‘Medicare Australia’ also provides health services to all citizens and permanent residents. It is administered by the government through taxes and covers the costs of hospitalisation, medical consultation and medicines.
