Planning Commission frames universal health insurance plan
The Planning Commission said it is framing up a blue print for a universal health insurance scheme which would provide a minimum cover to everyone in the country. "I think we do want a universal cess system. But whether it will be free for everybody...and free means Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY). The RSBY today is (available) for all BPL and for additional categories. It is quite possible that it can be expanded," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said. Under RSBY, below poverty line households are provided health insurance cover, which entitles them to hospitalisation coverage of up to Rs 30,000. Beneficiaries under RSBY need to pay only Rs 30 as registration fee, while the central and state governments pay the premium to the insurer.

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