Budget 2018: National Health Insurance scheme for 10 crore 'vulnerable' families, says Jaitley

NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget speech on Thursday announced a flagship National Health Insurance scheme which will cover around 10 crore "vulnerable" families. The health coverage of the scheme will be up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. There will 50 crore beneficiaries, Jaitley said.
"We are now launching a flagship national health protection scheme to cover 10 crore poor and vulnerable families.This is approximately 50 crore beneficiaries, by providing them up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation," Jaitley said.
Terming the scheme as the world's largest government funded healthcare programme, Jaitley said it would take healthcare protection to a new aspirational level.
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For tuberculosis patents, which claims more lives in the rural areas, Rs 600 crore will be allocated for the nutritional support of the patients.
24 new government medical colleges and hospitals will be set up by upgrading district hospitals in the country which will ensure one medical college for three parliamentary constituencies, Jaitley announced.