Delhi govt. plans 'insurance for all'


Delhi: Taking a cue from the Andhra Pradesh government's plan to extend its insurance scheme, the Delhi government is currently planning to have a similar scheme to ensure health insurance for all. The scheme, which is on the sidelines of the BPL (below poverty line) insurance scheme, is expected to be introduced by February end. As a part of this process, the Delhi Health Department is holding discussions with insurance firms on schemes for the middle class segment too, under which the premiums would be linked to salary structures, reports Rupee Times. This scheme would also cover almost all common and expensive ailments such as heart, urological system and neurology disorders. In 2007, the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasekhara Reddy had announced plans to extend the Rajiv Arogyashri Health Insurance Scheme to those from families other than BPL category. Health Minister of Delhi, Kiran Walia said, "We would like it to get started as soon as possible because the whole idea is to reach out to the middle class. As it is BPL categories are entitled to free treatment, it is those above poverty line who often end up caught between crowded government hospitals and overpriced private hospitals." She pointed out that the government has had talks with officials of Andhra Pradesh Health Department. "We had in fact invited the Andhra Health Minister here to understand the model properly," Kiran added.