JP Nadda launches Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY in Odisha; targets 1.3 Crore families with enhanced coverage

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) was launched in Odisha by Union Health Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda in a ceremonial event at Bali Jatra Ground in Cuttack on Friday.

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Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy CMs Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and State Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, along with several leaders of the party and senior government officials, were present on the occasion.

BJP National Vice-President and Kendrapara MP Baijayant Panda, who was also present at the launching ceremony, stated, "Over 1 crore families and around 3. 5 crore people will be benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat yojana. It is one of the biggest health schemes in the world. From Kendrapara to Kalahandi and from Mayurbhanj to Malkangiri, the people of the State will get the benefits of this scheme."

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership in India is growing. The country has covered a long distance on the path of progress in the last 11 years under his leadership. However, Odisha had been lagging behind as the Central government schemes were not being implemented here (in the State). As per BJP’s ‘Sankalp Patra’ (election manifesto), all the promises and schemes are being implemented in the State. In order to achieve the mission of Viksit Bharat, we have also to make Bikashita Odisha by 2047. The 'double-engine' government in Odisha is making it possible and due to the blessings of the people of the State, the BJP-led government in the State is doing a remarkable job," the BJP National Vice-President added.

AB PM-JAY beneficiaries reach

The scheme targets health insurance coverage for 1.3 crore families (3.5 crore individuals), focusing on the migrant workers through specialised hospital networks. The programme replaces Odisha’s previous Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) with expanded benefits.

Healthcare coverage details

The Ayushman Bharat scheme provides Rs 5 lakh annual health coverage per family, with an additional Rs 5 lakh allocated explicitly for women beneficiaries. This creates a potential cumulative coverage of Rs 10 lakh for households with female members.

Implementation framework

Odisha will replace the previous health cards with integrated cards valid at over 29,000 empanelled hospitals nationwide. The scheme includes portability for interstate healthcare access and covers pre-existing conditions from the first day of enrollment.

Operational mechanics

It features cashless treatment protocols and digital Health Card systems. Launch events at Bali Jatra Ground included the distribution of the first phase of Ayushman Bharat Health Cards to beneficiaries, with CM Majhi overseeing the rollout logistics.

Must Read: As Odisha joins Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY, know key benefits of the scheme

Special provisions in the scheme

Automatic eligibility for all citizens aged 70+ regardless of their income statuses. The State government allocated Rs 3,500 crore for the initial implementation and integrated three schemes: AB-PMJAY, Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY), and Ayushman Vaya-Vandana Yojana.