Headline: Expansion of Ayushman Bharat to Cost Central Government ₹2,000 Crore Annually

Headline: Expansion of Ayushman Bharat to Cost Central Government ₹2,000 Crore Annually

The central government is set to face an additional financial burden of approximately ₹2,000 crore per year as it expands the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to cover all citizens aged 70 and above. This move aims to broaden healthcare access for senior citizens, enhancing the existing scheme which currently provides health coverage to low-income families.

Under the expanded coverage, the funding will be allocated between the central and state governments in a 60:40 ratio, with the Centre shouldering the larger portion. For the northeastern states, three Himalayan states, and Union Territories, the funding ratio will be more favorable to these regions at 90:10. This adjustment is designed to address the unique challenges faced by these areas, including geographical and infrastructural constraints.

The AB-PMJAY scheme was originally launched in September 2018 with the goal of providing cashless health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year to eligible beneficiaries. The extension to cover the elderly is expected to significantly increase the reach and impact of the program, offering crucial healthcare services to an additional segment of the population.

In addition to this healthcare expansion, ETMarkets Livestream is hosting a masterclass aimed at traders and investors interested in understanding the intricate world of commodities. Scheduled to feature Gnanasekar Thiagarajan, Director at Commtrendz Research, and Yeswant Rao, former Head of Trading Strategies at Reliance Industries, the event will delve into how commodities influence and interrelate with various asset classes. This session is designed to equip participants with strategies to navigate both commodity and equity markets effectively. Those interested in gaining insights and practical knowledge can register for the masterclass through the ETMarkets Livestream platform.

The expanded Ayushman Bharat initiative and the upcoming masterclass both highlight ongoing efforts to address significant issues—be it through enhanced healthcare coverage for the elderly or through educational opportunities for traders and investors.