In a significant effort to improve healthcare services in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has begun a two-day visit to Delhi with the intention of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the central government. This agreement will enable the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Jan Arogya Yojana in the state.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme is on track to be integrated with Odisha’s existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), which will improve healthcare services across the state. This new initiative will take the place of the earlier Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), which was established by the previous BJD administration.
Odisha BJP chief Manmohan Samal stated in June 2024 that the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) would benefit not only the residents of Odisha but also the over 1.5 crore Odias living abroad.
Benefits of Ayushman Bharat PM- JAY Scheme
Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, eligible families can receive health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization at public and private hospitals across India.
Odisha’s Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced that women in the state will benefit from an increased insurance cover of ₹10 lakh under this initiative.
The PM-JAY scheme allows beneficiaries to access healthcare services without any upfront payment, providing cashless treatment. It covers expenses incurred up to three days before hospitalization and includes costs for up to 15 days after discharge, which encompasses diagnostics and medications.
One of the standout features of Ayushman Bharat is that it imposes no limits on family size, age, or gender, ensuring that all pre-existing medical conditions are covered from the very first day.
The scheme encompasses around 1,929 medical procedures, which include costs related to medications, supplies, diagnostic services, physician fees, room charges, and surgical expenses. In contrast, the previous Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) only provided coverage within the state of Odisha.
Why the BJD Did Not Adopt the Ayushman Bharat Scheme
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chose not to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha, claiming that the existing Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) provides superior coverage for residents.
Despite repeated requests from the State BJP, the government led by Naveen Patnaik maintained that BSKY offers more benefits, particularly for women, and better support for organ transplant procedures.
BJD officials argued that the funding allocated for Ayushman Bharat is inadequate when compared to BSKY’s annual budget of ₹6,000 crore, which allows for comprehensive healthcare services through significant investments and improved infrastructure in state-run hospitals.
