From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Aug 28: Come November 1, the Rajyotsava Day of Karnataka, and all the 1.40 crore households in the State will get a new universal health scheme, Arogya Bhagya, under which medical treatment will be provided.

The new scheme called “Arogya Bhagya” would eliminate overlapping of existing multiple health schemes and duplication in funds release.

A State Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday decided to implement the new health scheme through Aadhaar linked universal health card to each of the households in the State.

All the existing seven different health schemes would merged under the universal health coverage scheme.

Karnataka’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra, who briefed reporters after the State Cabinet meeting on Monday, said all the seven existing schemes such as Vajapeyi Arogyasri, Yashaswini, Jyothi Sanjivini, Mukhyamantri Santhwana Harish scheme, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakrama, Rajiv Arogya Bhaga and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana would be merged under one universal health scheme.

The idea is to bring together all the existing health schemes under one banner, Jayachandra said.

All citizens can use the benefits of the new scheme regardless of income, he said.

Under the new scheme, 2.38 crore cooperative society members need not deposit contribution under the Yeshaswini scheme.

The annual cost of implementing the new scheme would be Rs 869.4 crore.

Households of rural and urban areas would be enrolled with Aadhaar details with contribution of Rs 300 and Rs 700 per person per year respectively.

Under the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments (KPME) Act, the Government would fix rates for various secondary and tertiary procedures to be paid to private hospitals.

Till the amendment to the KPME Bill (2017) was done, Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) rates would apply for all procedures. The average expenditure would be Rs 25,000.

In case of emergencies defined for both accident and medical as well as surgical emergencies, treatment can be provided in the nearest facility available irrespective of government or private to ensure “treatment first, payment next,” Jayachandra said.