‘Include persons with disabilities in AB-PMJAY scheme’

• The National Disability Network (NDN), a cohort of organisations and federations of persons with disabilities, has approached the Central government seeking inclusion of persons with disabilities without any income

Highlights:

• The National Disability Network (NDN), consisting of organizations and federations representing persons with disabilities, has petitioned the Central government to include persons with disabilities without any income or age criteria in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
• This health insurance scheme aims to provide ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to over 12 crore poor and vulnerable families.

Current Challenges for Persons with Disabilities:

• Financial Strain
  • Poor and inaccessible private and public insurance coverage.
  • Minimal financial support from the government.
  • Double premiums causing significant healthcare expenses, leading to heavy debts and poverty.

Recent Government Efforts:

• Inclusion of Senior Citizens
  • Union Cabinet recently approved health coverage for all senior citizens aged 70 and above under AB PM-JAY, irrespective of income.
• Appreciation and Exclusion
  • Government's efforts to expand insurance coverage for vulnerable groups have been praised.
  • However, persons with disabilities have been excluded from this universal health coverage expansion.

Technical Hurdles and Awareness Issues:

• Health Ministry's Efforts
  • The Health Ministry is addressing technical issues to enroll senior citizens over 70 under the expanded AB PM-JAY.
• Lack of Awareness
  • Out-of-pocket expenses lead to social and financial decline for persons with disabilities, pushing them below the poverty line.
  • Government and private insurance schemes fail to address the needs of persons with disabilities due to lack of awareness.

Bridging the Health Equity Gap:

• Necessity of Insurance Cover
  • Insurance coverage for persons with disabilities is essential for their holistic development.
  • The inclusion of persons with disabilities in Ayushman Bharat is crucial to mitigate the financial burden of disability.

Demand for Inclusion

• Call to Action:
  • Arman Ali, Executive Director of NCPEDP, emphasizes the necessity of including persons with disabilities in the Ayushman Bharat scheme without income and age criteria.
  • Highlighting the significant cost of disability in an inaccessible country, Ali asserts that this inclusion is a minimal step the government can take to alleviate some of the financial burdens.

Prelims Takeaways:

• National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP)
• National Disability Network (NDN)