Karnataka's 70+ Seniors Left Uncovered as State Skips Ayushman Bharat Contribution
- Karnataka government’s refusal to pay 40% share excludes 70+ seniors from Ayushman Bharat benefits.
- Around 80,000 elderly in Mangalore alone miss Rs 5 lakh annual health cover.
- MP Brijesh Chowta urges Centre to intervene and ensure state fulfils obligations.
Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chowta has raised concerns over the denial of Ayushman Bharat Yojana benefits to senior citizens aged 70 and above in Karnataka, citing the state government’s refusal to contribute its mandatory 40% share to the scheme.
Speaking under Rule 377 in Parliament, Captain Chowta said the decision has deprived lakhs of elderly citizens many dependent on the scheme for critical treatment of the Rs 5 lakh annual insurance cover for secondary and tertiary hospital care. In Mangalore alone, around 80,000 seniors in the 70+ age group are currently excluded from the programme.
He stressed that this move contradicts the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who launched Ayushman Bharat to provide universal health coverage and financial protection to the most vulnerable.
Urging the Union Government to intervene, Captain Chowta called for immediate action to protect the healthcare rights of Karnataka’s senior citizens and direct the state to fulfil its obligations under the flagship health scheme.
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) is the world’s largest health assurance scheme, jointly funded by the Centre and states, offering cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
