Health & SocialImportant2025-01-13

Odisha Joins Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

In News

What Happened

On January 13, 2025, the Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Health Authority (NHA) to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). Odisha formally became the 34th State/UT to adopt the scheme, integrating it with its existing state health insurance program, the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).

Why It Matters

This integration brings comprehensive, cashless healthcare to approximately 4.5 crore residents, covering nearly 86% of Odisha's population. It is a major boost to cooperative federalism and nationwide portability of health benefits, leaving only Delhi and West Bengal outside the national scheme.

Background

History & Context

Launched in 2018, AB PM-JAY is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage. While most States and UTs adopted it, Odisha had initially opted out to run its own independent schemes, such as the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. Following a change in state government, the new administration committed to converging its newly rebranded Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) with the central framework to give its citizens access to a national network of hospitals.

What Changed

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Hospital Portability: BEFORE, beneficiaries were limited to treatment in around 900 state-empanelled hospitals. NOW, they have cashless access to over 29,000 empanelled government and private hospitals across India.
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Coverage Limits: BEFORE, state and central schemes operated in silos with differing coverages. NOW, the converged AB PM-JAY and GJAY initiative provides a unified healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh per family annually, with an additional ₹5 lakh specifically for women members.
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Senior Citizen Benefits: BEFORE, central elderly coverage was unavailable in the state. NOW, over 2.3 million senior citizens in Odisha aged 70 years and above are eligible for the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card, ensuring dedicated health benefits.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This aligns with Class 11 Indian Economic Development Chapter 8 - Infrastructure, which explores India's health infrastructure and the government's role in making healthcare accessible. The convergence of central and state health schemes demonstrates the practical application of Universal Health Coverage and cooperative federalism to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenditure.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Consider the following statements regarding the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in Odisha: 1. The scheme is being implemented in convergence with the state's Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY). 2. With Odisha joining the scheme, all 28 states and 8 Union Territories in India are now actively implementing AB PM-JAY.

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