Why should the Centre claim credit when states bear the majority of costs? Singh Deo on Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Bhopal, Jan 14 (NationPress) Senior Congress leader and former Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Singh Deo expressed his discontent with the Ayushman Bharat Yojana on Tuesday, stating that the scheme places a significant financial burden on state governments while the Centre receives unwarranted credit for its execution.

He pointed out that most of the healthcare costs associated with the program are shouldered by the states, which has led many to initiate their own health programs.

In an interview with IANS, Singh Deo highlighted that under Ayushman Bharat, the Centre contributes merely Rs 50,000 as an insurance premium for each family, leaving states to cover the extra expenses from their own budgets.

"Why should the Centre take credit when state governments are investing significantly more than their share to provide comprehensive health coverage?" he questioned.

The Ayushman Bharat Yojana offers health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh annually for families Below the Poverty Line (BPL) and Rs 50,000 for those above it.

Singh Deo noted that states like Delhi and West Bengal have chosen to withdraw from the scheme, arguing that their own health initiatives offer more extensive coverage.

"The BJP claims that residents in Delhi and West Bengal are missing out on the benefits of Ayushman Bharat due to non-BJP governments' refusal to adopt the scheme. However, the truth is that these states are investing more in healthcare and providing better access than what the Centre's scheme offers," Singh Deo remarked.

He emphasized the global movement towards universal healthcare, stating, "There has been a global consensus for 30-50 years that every individual should have access to complete health facilities, from routine care to critical treatment, financed through public resources. While the United Nations has set a target for universal healthcare, many nations, including India, have yet to achieve it fully. The new target is 2030."

"Ayushman Bharat is merely a continuation of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Yojana initiated by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It extends the concept but falls short in its implementation, as states bear the brunt of the financial load," he added.

Using Chhattisgarh as an example, Singh Deo explained, "When the scheme was launched, approximately Rs 1,800 crore was spent on its rollout, with the Centre contributing only Rs 350 crore. The remaining costs, including those surpassing Rs 5 lakh per family, were shouldered by the state government. This clearly indicates that the Centre's contribution is limited to the premium, while states cover the larger share of expenses."

He argued that states should have greater authority over healthcare financing if they are the primary contributors.

"Why should the Centre take credit for a scheme when states are the ones investing more to ensure its effectiveness?" he asked.

The Delhi government has also resisted the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, claiming it would weaken existing healthcare programs in the capital.

A recent petition by seven BJP MPs urging the scheme's implementation has faced opposition from the Delhi government.

The Delhi administration has asserted that its health initiatives provide superior coverage and services compared to the Centre's scheme.

Singh Deo's comments come amid ongoing discussions regarding the roles of the Centre and states in healthcare funding, raising questions about the effectiveness and acknowledgment of the Ayushman Bharat initiative.