Question : HEALTH INSURANCE SCHEME UNDER NRHM

(a) whether provisions have been made under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to implement Health Insurance Scheme for the poor;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the amount sanctioned and utilized for the Health Insurance Scheme during the last three years, State-wise;

(d) whether the Government of Andhra Pradesh has sent project proposals seeking funds under the above scheme during the last three years; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a) & (b) : Yes. Under the framework of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), a prov ision exists for development of Health Insurance Scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare subsidizes the cost of the annual premium up to 75%, subject to a maximum of Rs. 300/- per BPL family for this Scheme.

The Union Ministry of Labour have launched the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) to cover unorganized sector BPL workers. Since States have started accessing RSBY, demand for support to Health Insurance for BPL from NRHM has got significantly reduced.

(c) : Details are annexed.

(d) & (e) : The Government had received proposals regarding “Arogya Sri” programme from the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the PIPs under national rural Health Mission for the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10. After appraisal by the National Programme Coordina tion Committee (NPCC) of the NRHM, the Government of India had approved a token grant of Rs. 10 crore during 2007-08 and 2008-09. However, no grants were approved during 2009-10.