If the news reports are to be believed, the Chandrababu Naidu Government is mooting a Revolutionary Idea. The Government is thinking to offer 25 Lakh Rupees of Health Insurance for Every Family in the State.
This is the biggest Health Revolution in the country when it happens.
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Currently, Aarogya Sri is the Scheme offering Health Services to the citizens. But then, it is highly unorganized. There is a limited number of hospitals on the Panel and always the hospitals are at loggerheads with the Government over pending bills.
Several hospitals even reject patients due to pending bills.
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Also, Aarogya Sri is only confined to a certain income group (White Ration Card holders) but this will be a Universal Insurance Scheme.
The Government estimates the Premium to be around 2,500 Rupees per family due to large-scale competition.
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In the budget tabled recently, the Government allowed 100% FDI into the Insurance Sector. So very soon many international players would come and make this space even more competitive.
Aarogya Sri is a scheme first conceptualized by the late YSR. Despite many flaws, it was a big hit and even the subsequent governments had to continue it on another name.
It is currently NTR Vaidya Seva in the TDP regime and even today, people call it Aarogya Sri. The Credit would always go to YSR.
But then, this 25 Lakh Insurance Scheme will be a game-changer and a huge Political Capital for Chandrababu Naidu.
The Scheme will empower the hospitals as well and the authorization time would come down to 5-6 hours helping the patients big time.
Very soon, many states will follow the scheme for political reasons as well as the feasibility they get due to the 100% FDI in the Insurance Sector.
But if Chandrababu Naidu is able to start it first, he will get the first mover's advantage.
That would etched in the history books. Also, this is not a usual freebie or welfare scheme, this is easily the most progressive step any politician has taken in the history of India.
At the central level, there is the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. It is the world's largest health insurance/ assurance scheme fully financed by the government. It provides a cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for the poor.
In the recent elections, the government announced an extension of the scheme to all Senior Citizens providing them a cover of 20 Lakhs regardless of their income.
This Chandrababu Naidu scheme will be even bigger and more useful when it is announced.
Due to his focus on Development and infrastructure, there is not one flagship welfare scheme on Chandrababu's name in his political career so far. This scheme can fill the void.