Maharashtra launches health insurance scheme for poor
New scheme expected to provide health insurance to 20 million poor people
On Friday, August 26, 2011, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, issued orders to begin implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Lifesaving Health Scheme (RGLHS). The RGLHS provides health insurance to 20 million poor people in the Indian state of Maharashtra. All administrative measures, including issuing identity cards to the beneficiaries, are expected to be completed by April 2012.
The RGLHS will enable poor people, both below and above the poverty line, to get critical health treatment for around 972 surgical procedures identified in the scheme. The major diseases and surgical procedures covered under this scheme include cardiac, renal, brain and nervous system disorders, cancer and other health problems.
Under the RGLHS, the state government would pay health insurance premiums to insurance companies on behalf of the targeted population. A large number of public, private and charitable hospitals and nursing will also be included in the implementation.