The ‘Modi 3.0’ government’s budget due for presentation in July 2024 may see the older citizens of India added to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPM-JAY).
This action is in line with the government’s pledge to fund healthcare for all those over 70 years of age under the program.

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President Droupadi Murmu recently told Parliament in her speech that “every elderly person above 70 will be covered and benefit from free treatment under Ayushman Bharat Yojana.”
Reportedly, two models are being considered, according to a report in the Mint. One model advocates insuring only the elderly people in a household, while the other suggests covering all family members who have senior citizens.

Apparently, hospitals that offer senior-focused treatments would fall under PM-JAY. Additionally, the Centre is considering expanding the pool of AB PM-JAY recipients.
The AB-PMJAY is the world’s largest publicly-funded health insurance scheme, providing Rs 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care to 120 million families, with state health agencies (SHAs) overseeing hospital inclusion.

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At present, approximately 20 per cent of people over the age of 60 years are covered by healthcare programs, such as the Central Government Health Scheme, Employees State Insurance Scheme, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna, cooperative health insurance, employer medical reimbursement, and medical private insurance.
The India Ageing Report 2023 also shows that senior males have a slightly higher coverage rate (19.7 per cent) over elderly females, with minimal difference in coverage between the rural and urban areas.

President Murmu further emphasised the urgent development of 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras for improved healthcare infrastructure.