Modi launched new scheme on Independence day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to announce the launch of the Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) on a pilot basis in some states today on the occasion of Independence Day, with the full-scale roll-out of his pet project expected in September end, sources said.

The ambitious Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM) aims to provide a coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family annually, benefiting more than 10 crore poor families.The scheme will target poor, deprived rural families and identified occupational category of urban workers, families.

According to the official, as many as 22 states have preferred to run the scheme on “trust model”. The Centre has allocated about Rs 10,000 crore for the project, which is claimed to be the world’s largest government funded healthcare insurance programme. It is yet to release its share of the funds to the states.