- Parliamentary committee proposes to lower age limit for Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards from 70 to 60 years.
- Recommended increasing healthcare coverage from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family per year.
- Calls for improved fund utilization and better awareness campaigns to benefit more citizens.
Understanding Ayushman Vay Vandana Scheme
Ayushman Vay Vandana is a government health initiative aimed at providing financial protection to senior citizens. As part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, it specifically targets the elderly, ensuring they receive necessary healthcare services. Recent recommendations by a parliamentary committee suggest a crucial change in age criteria: lowering it from 70 years to 60 years, allowing more seniors to benefit from this vital health coverage.
Key Recommendations to Enhance the Scheme
The parliamentary committee has made several important recommendations aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the Ayushman Vay Vandana Cards:
- Rationalization of Age Limit: Lowering the age criterion from 70 to 60 years will enlarge the pool of eligible beneficiaries, thereby improving healthcare access for more senior citizens.
- Increased Insurance Coverage: It’s recommended to raise the healthcare coverage limit from the existing ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family. This increase is crucial for managing the escalating costs of critical healthcare services.
- Inclusion of More Procedures: The committee has urged a review of the package of healthcare services covered under the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), incorporating high-end diagnostics and critical illness treatments.
Issues Identified and Suggested Solutions
The committee noted ongoing challenges, such as under utilization of allocated funds and delays in claim settlements. To tackle these issues, a thorough review of fund disbursement mechanisms is essential. Here are key actions suggested:
- Streamline fund release processes to states and UTs, linking fund allocations to performance metrics such as card creation and hospital admissions.
- Enhance awareness campaigns, particularly in remote and undeserved regions, utilizing community methods and local language.
- Set up a dedicated helpline for beneficiaries to address queries and problems related to the scheme.
Ayushman Vay Vandana represents a significant stride towards ensuring that senior citizens receive the healthcare they need. The proposed changes aim not only to widen coverage but also to improve the efficiency of fund utilization and awareness among potential beneficiaries. Engaging with states and activating local health workers will be crucial for spreading information about the scheme, ultimately facilitating better healthcare access for India’s elderly population.