NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday officially welcomed the decision by the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal to adopt the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme. The move marks a significant shift in the state’s healthcare policy following the recent change in leadership.
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the Prime Minister emphasized that the “double-engine government” would now be able to ensure the seamless delivery of critical Central welfare programs to the region.
A Landmark Cabinet Decision
The announcement follows the first cabinet meeting chaired by the new West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, on Monday. Adhikari identified the implementation of the flagship healthcare program as one of six “landmark decisions” aimed at delivering ‘Asol Poriborton’ (real change) to the state.
“The welfare of my sisters and brothers of West Bengal is supreme!” PM Modi stated. “I’m very happy that the people of the state will have access to Ayushman Bharat, the world’s largest healthcare scheme that ensures top-quality and affordable healthcare.“
Key Features of the Rollout
The implementation of Ayushman Bharat in West Bengal will provide:
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Comprehensive Coverage: Health insurance of up to ₹5 lakh per eligible household annually.
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Cashless Access: Coverage for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization across a network of empanelled hospitals.
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Direct Delivery: Integration with Central infrastructure to bypass previous administrative hurdles.
Political Context
The policy shift comes in the wake of a historic electoral transition in West Bengal, where the BJP secured 207 seats in the 294-member assembly. Previously, the state had opted out of the Central scheme in favor of its own state-run program, Swasthya Sathi.
With the new administration at the helm, the transition to Ayushman Bharat is being positioned as a primary objective to align West Bengal with national healthcare standards and ensure broader medical security for its citizens.
