Suvendu Adhikari Launches Ayushman Bharat and State Health Insurance Scheme, Expands Healthcare Access The West Bengal government, on its 99th day in power, officially launched the Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme alongside the Mukhyamantri Swasthya Bima Yojana (MSBY) on August 16, 2026. The initiative aims to provide comprehensive healthcare benefits to all residents of the state. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced that approximately 1.43 crore people will be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, while the remaining 80 lakh families will benefit from the state’s health insurance program. The new schemes will grant access to a network of 38,604 hospitals across India, including 1,240 government-run and 627 public hospitals in West Bengal. This expansion ensures that beneficiaries can receive treatment at both private and government facilities nationwide. Additionally, the schemes will cover 100 Amrit Pharmacies and 467 PM Jan Arogya Yojana outlets, enhancing access to essential medicines. Adhikari emphasized that the Ayushman Bharat scheme will provide coverage for a broader range of treatments compared to previous initiatives. Under the new framework, beneficiaries will have access to 1,700 items for medical treatment, including 250 additional services such as hip and knee replacement surgeries. The state government also announced the inclusion of 1,950 other schemes, ensuring a more comprehensive healthcare package. The chief minister highlighted that the Ayushman Bharat scheme will allow patients to seek treatment at any hospital in India, a significant expansion from earlier restrictions. He noted that while the previous government had temporarily implemented a similar scheme in West Bengal, it was later discontinued.#west_bengal #suvendu_adhikari #ayushman_bharat #mukhyamantri_swasthya_bima_yojana #pm_jay
