Since last few years, political parties in the country have started focusing on health insurance services ensuring affordable health care for the people and have made it a poll plank. Rajasthan launched Chiranjeevi Scheme while the BJP led NDA government is improvising its flagship healthcare scheme- Aayushman Yojana.

On Wednesday, Congress party in a bid to reach out to the voters, launched its poll promise – Jeevan Raksha Yojana.

The scheme offers free health insurance of up to Rs 25 lakh if voted into power in Delhi.

Will this new Health Scheme be a game changer?

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who was in Delhi to launch this health initiative of Delhi Congress described the proposed scheme as a potential game-changer.

Gehlot emphasized that the scheme demonstrates the party's commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of Delhi's residents. The party's campaign slogan, "Hogi Har Zarurat Puri, Congress Hai Zaroori," was prominently featured during the announcement, underscoring Congress' pledge to provide essential services to all.

Notably, AAP has already floated another health insurance scheme. Aam Aadmi Party chief and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had a few weeks back declared that if the party returns to power, all residents aged 60 and above will be entitled to free healthcare in both private and government hospitals. This initiative, called Sanjeevani, will have no income restrictions for eligibility. Kejriwal and the AAP government had previously faced criticism for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) in Delhi.

Jeevan Raksha Yojana Vs Sanjivani Vs Ayushman

So now, Congress offers Jeevan Raksha Yojana, AAP offers Sanjivani while the top leadership of BJP is listing the benefits of Ayushman Scheme.

But it is a good sign that political parties are offering such schemes which aim to make quality healthcare accessible to the people who often shy away from approaching the doctors because of high expenses associated with treatment of certain diseases.

Some previous Health care schemes

One of the earliest state to offer health insurance scheme to its people was Andhra Pradesh. launched in 2007 by the Government of Andhra Pradesh under Chief Minister Dr. YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Dr. YSR Aarogyasri Health Insurance Scheme was designed to provide financial assistance to low-income families in the state, enabling them to access quality healthcare services.

States like Gujarat launched its health scheme - Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana (MA Yojana), Rajasthan’s Chiranjeevi Yojana etc have been pioneers in offering health insurance scheme to their people.

Voting for the 70-member Delhi Assembly will take place on February 5, with votes being counted on February 8.