In a significant step toward strengthening universal health coverage in India, the Government of West Bengal is set to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), becoming the 36th State/Union Territory to join the world’s largest publicly funded health assurance scheme.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the scheme will be signed between the National Health Authority and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The agreement marks a major milestone in expanding equitable and affordable healthcare access across the country.

The MoU signing ceremony will be presided over by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in the presence of senior government officials, healthcare administrators, and representatives from both the Centre and the State government.

Under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, eligible families receive health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization care. Since its launch in 2018, the scheme has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s healthcare transformation, helping reduce out-of-pocket expenditure and improving access to quality treatment through an extensive network of empanelled public and private hospitals.

Official data indicates that PM-JAY has facilitated more than 10 crore hospital admissions nationwide and generated treatment benefits worth over ₹1 lakh crore, making it one of the largest healthcare financing initiatives globally. The scheme currently covers approximately 55 crore beneficiaries across India.

With West Bengal joining the program, millions of eligible residents in the state are expected to gain access to cashless healthcare services and nationwide portability benefits. This means beneficiaries will be able to receive treatment at empanelled hospitals across the country without geographical restrictions.

Healthcare experts believe the move will strengthen financial protection against catastrophic health expenditures while improving access to specialized medical care. The integration is also expected to support the state’s healthcare ecosystem by increasing healthcare utilization and expanding patient access to advanced treatments.

The implementation of PM-JAY in West Bengal reflects ongoing efforts to achieve universal healthcare access and reduce healthcare inequalities. Public health specialists have welcomed the development, noting that broader participation in national health assurance programs can play a crucial role in improving health outcomes and reducing the financial burden of medical care on families.

The move marks a significant advancement in India’s journey toward accessible, affordable, and inclusive healthcare for all.