AP Government Raises Arogyashri Limit To Rs 25 Lakh

USPA NEWS - The government's decision allows individuals with the new Arogyashri card to avail free treatment up to Rs 25 lakhs when seeking medical care.

In a landmark decision, the State Cabinet has approved a historic move by the state government to increase the free medical limit of Apara Sanjeevani YSR Arogyashri to Rs 25 lakh, providing a lifeline to impoverished families. The YSRCP-led government is dedicated to strengthening Arogyashri, offering advanced medical services in private hospitals and corporate medicine in government hospitals, setting a precedent unmatched elsewhere in the country. The Arogyashri initiative has already proven instrumental in providing comprehensive treatments, particularly for diseases like cancer, benefiting 90 percent of the state's families with an annual income of up to Rs 5 lakhs.

Over the past four and a half years, the government has allocated Rs 11,859.86 crore through Arogyashri, facilitating 53,02,816 medical procedures and ensuring the health of 37.40 lakh individuals grappling with various diseases. This proactive approach aims to prevent families from plunging into debt due to medical expenses, safeguarding the living standards of the underprivileged. Fulfilling a promise from the election manifesto, the YSRCP government, led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has increased annual spending on free medical services from Rs1000 crores to Rs 4,400 crores, with Rs1,897 crores dedicated solely to cancer procedures.

The government's decision allows individuals with the new Arogyashri card to avail free treatment up to Rs 25 lakhs when seeking medical care. Chief Minister YS Jagan is set to launch the distribution of these new cards on the 18th of this month. Notably, the number of procedures covered under Arogyashri has increased from 1,059 to 3,257, underscoring the government's commitment to public health.

To enhance awareness and accessibility, new Arogyashri cards will be distributed in five villages of each constituency, spearheaded by MLAs and local representatives, starting from the 19th of this month. Health workers and ANMs will actively engage in creating awareness about Arogyashri services, utilizing the Arogyashri app to provide information on nearby government hospitals and available medical services.

The second phase of the Jagananna Arogya Suraksha program will facilitate the direct delivery of drugs to patients at no cost. A comprehensive strategy, including online indenting and collaboration with the postal department, ensures the swift and compliant distribution of medicines. Additionally, the government has addressed previous shortcomings by paying pending Arogyashri dues of Rs.668 crore and filling 53 thousand medical department posts, virtually eliminating vacancies. The commitment to public health remains a top priority for the YSRCP government, as articulated by Chief Minister YS Jagan's directives to enhance the effectiveness of Arogyashri and Arogya Suraksha programs for the well-being of the people.