Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) has failed to achieve its objectives during the pandemic.
In an earlier study it was found that only 14.25% of the people hospitalized for treatment of COVID-19 between April 2020 and June 2021 were assisted under PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana).
Some recent studies have highlighted the following facts:
- Cash payment is still required for admission to hospitals, as hospitals do not accept PM-JAY for Intensive Care Units (ICUs).
- Only a limited number of hospitals are listed in the plan for the treatment of patients.
- Many eligible beneficiaries are still deprived of the benefits of this scheme.
- PM-JAY is one of the two components operated under Ayushman Bharat. Ayushman Bharat is a flagship scheme launched to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
- Another component of Ayushman Bharat is Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs). They provide comprehensive primary health care. These centers provide health services to the people near their homes.
Salient Features of PM-JAY
- Providing an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family on hospitalization for secondary and tertiary health care in empaneled government and private hospitals in the country.
- There are no restrictions on family size, age or gender.
- This includes more than 10.74 crore poor and vulnerable eligible families. About 50 crore beneficiaries have been identified through the Socio-Economic Caste Census, 2011.
- All pre-existing conditions are enforced from day one. The benefit of this scheme can be availed anywhere in the entire country.
Source – The Hindu
