Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the seventh anniversary of Ayushman Bharat on Tuesday, calling it a game-changer for India’s public healthcare. In a post on X, Modi praised the scheme for looking ahead to future needs and delivering top-notch, affordable care to millions. “India is witnessing a revolution in public healthcare,” he wrote, emphasizing how it combines scale, compassion, and technology to empower people with financial protection and dignity.
Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat—officially the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)—stands as the world’s largest health assurance program. It now covers more than 55 crore citizens, making universal health coverage a reality for low-income families across India. One of its biggest perks? Cashless treatment at the point of care, so no one faces surprise medical bills.
To date, authorities have issued over 42 crore Ayushman Cards, giving families easy access to healthcare services. Modi shared insights from MyGovIndia, which spotlighted the scheme’s real-world wins. For instance, government health spending jumped from 29% to 48% between 2015 and 2022, while out-of-pocket costs for families dropped from 63% to 39%. This shift has shielded millions from financial ruin due to illness.
The program also extends universal coverage to seniors over 70 through Vay Vandana Cards. More than 81 lakh of these cards are out, with 45% going to women, and they’ve already covered treatments worth Rs 496 crore.
Prevention is a key focus too. At Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs—nearly 1.8 lakh community health centers so far—over 55 crore people have gotten screened for hypertension and 48 crore for diabetes. Free tests at sub-centers and primary health centers (PHCs) help catch issues early, and the scheme has hosted over 5.7 crore yoga and meditation sessions to promote wellness.
For those needing serious care, PM-JAY makes it affordable. Low-income families save Rs 10,000 to 15,000 per dialysis session, and access to cancer treatment has surged by 90%. The network connects over 4 lakh healthcare facilities and nearly 7 lakh professionals, with more than 72 crore health records digitized. Add in 81 crore ABHA IDs and 41 crore teleconsultations, and care is available anytime, anywhere.
Every year, the scheme protects around 6 crore Indians from falling into poverty because of medical expenses. The Economic Survey 2024-25 backs this up, noting that programs like PM-JAY have slashed out-of-pocket spending by over Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Government-backed insurance now makes up 2.63% of healthcare financing, easing the burden on households.
As of March this year, more than 36.9 crore Ayushman Cards were active, showing steady growth. Modi summed it up: This initiative isn’t just policy—it’s rewriting the story of public health in India, one family at a time.
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